THE SDLP Spokesperson on Regional Development John Dallat has warned that the ongoing failure of the British Treasury and the Assembly to address serious legacy issues relating to deficits in transport infrastructure in the North West.
Speaking after a meeting with the new Chief Executive of Translink in Derry last Frida, the East Derry MLA said: “It is widely accepted that a modern transport infrastructure is key to attracting new inward investment.
“It is also critical to existing businesses that need to reduce transport costs, remain competitive and expand.
“For those who need to travel to work either in or out of Derry City the current sub-standard road network is totally unacceptable whether the A5 or A6.
“An increasing number of people are challenging the performance of those ministers in the Assembly who had direct responsibility for these issues over the last decade.
“They ask why money was spent on projects in Larne and other places while Dungiven still has no bypass and the bottlenecks at Moneynick and other stretches of the A6 have yet to be dealt with.
“In our discussions with Translink we conveyed our frustration at the lack of progress in the development of a new multi-modal transport centre for Derry which incorporates the old Waterside Railway Station.
“The continuing scandal of under-investment since partition should feature in any agreement arising out of the present crisis talks and are foremost in the minds of our negotiators along with other legacy issues which are impacting on the lives of so many people.
“Investment is critical to job creation, tourist development and the building of a new prosperity which Derry and other towns in the North West must be part of.”
