Twitterscape battle over A-26 ‘credit cake’

Funding for the further dualling of the A-26 may well have received a united welcome from politicians - but the arguments over who can take the biggest slice of credit have just begun to simmer.
Ballymena Councillor Paul Frew.Ballymena Councillor Paul Frew.
Ballymena Councillor Paul Frew.

While DUP representatives such as Paul Frew and David McIlveen have been flagging up the economic role played by the Finance Minister, Simon Hamilton, political rivals have chosen to focus on the part played by Regional Development Minister, Danny Kennedy.

Paul Frew used his twitter account to congratulate Foster on his handling of the situation claiming he had been ‘swamped with cheeky bids (for finance) from the DRD minister that were not ‘shovel ready’ and could have jeopardised the A-26 project.

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TUV leader Jim Allister was equally swift to give the lion’s share of the kudos to Danny Kennedy on his twitter account.

Battling back for the DUP was MLA David McIlveen who posted: “I am delighted that the Minister for Finance has today made funding available for extension of A26. Once again, the DUP is delivering in North Antrim and I am looking forward to work starting on this route.”

SDLP Councillor Declan O’Loan took a different tack in his comments.

His first reaction was to welcome the allocation of £8.1 million in 2014-15 for the A26 Glarryford dualling project but he also advised caution adding, ‘this money will just start the project.

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He said “It is of course good news to get confirmation of this funding which will allow commencement of the project in 2014-15.

“We should be clear that it is just commencement and that further substantial funds will be required to finish the work along the 8 kilometres. We have yet to learn exactly what kind of work will happen next year. However it is good that the project is now definitely committed to, and its completion will now undoubtedly happen in time. The Council and its partners need to press that this will be sooner rather than later. This is work that is necessary for safety and to get traffic moving on this busy road.”