Councils given pledge on A5 road

COUNCILS from the North West have been given a commitment by the Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement that it will champion the case for a Dual Carriageway connecting the North West to Dublin.
By The Newsroom
Published 18th Sep 2012, 16:37 BST

A delegation from Donegal, Monaghan, Londonderry, Strabane, Omagh, Dungannon & South Tyrone Councils had travelled to Dublin to give evidence to the Committee.

Speaking after receiving the delegation which was made up of Councillors and Senior officials the Committee Chairman Joe Mc Hugh TD (Donegal North-East) said: “Committee members for their part will advance the compelling arguments heard today with the Taoiseach Enda Kenny TD and British Prime Minister David Cameron MP, Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar TD, Northern Ireland Executive Minister Danny Kennedy MLA and the new Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Theresa Villiers MP.

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Mayor, Cllr Kevin Campbell said: “It is important that we work collectively to lobby for investment in the North West region so we can build our economy, provide work and encourage our graduates to stay and work in their city and region.

“The A5 dual carriageway scheme is about addressing the economic imbalance in terms of infrastructural investment in the North West region.

“Also it is essential that there is direct road links which help redress that imbalance and help us improve trade, industry and tourism opportunities that exist ahead of the 2013 year of City of Culture and beyond.”

In a joint presentation the Councils highlighted the economic and social benefits which would result from the completion of a Dual carriageway from the North West to join the M1 north of Dublin.

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They emphasised the importance of starting construction without further delay on the funded sections of Dual Carriageway from New Buildings to Strabane and from Omagh to Ballygawley and outlined a programme of preparatory work and statutory processes which needs to commence now on the sections from the border to the M1 north of Dublin and between Letterkenny and Strabane.

The delegation acknowledged that the current economic environment will have an impact on the timeframe for the delivery of the Dual Carriageway in its entirety but emphasised that the scheme can be funded and constructed on a phased basis over eight to ten years and will provide for the economic development and prosperity of the North West region for generations in the future.

Related topics:North WestDavid Cameron