Kennedy assures council over A5

Back in November 2009 the Sentinel reported how only nine million euro of an overall £400m funding commitment towards northern road projects was due to be paid by the Irish Government by mid-December of that year.

And this time last year the Sentinel reported how Dublin had contributed just £8.5m of £400m in promised funding towards the Londonderry to Aughnacloy A5 roads project which is due for completion in 2015 - this was just 2 per cent of the total sum promised although a further £11m has since been paid.

Mr Kennedy recently wrote to Derry City Council in response to a letter from the local authority concerning the massive roads project.

The Council’s Regional Services Committee welcomed the Irish Government’s continued funding commitment and asked DRD to affirm its commitment to the road scheme. It also expressed concern that the proposed dualling of the A6 from Londonderry to the start of the M2 should be a priority for the DRD Minister.

The Minister replied: “I can advise that at a recent meeting of the North-South Ministerial Council, the Irish Government confirmed its commitment to funding the A5 and A8 projects.

“However, both Governments agreed to consider opportunities to reduce costs in the current economic climate. You may also be aware that the A5 Public Inquiry ended on July 1, 2011.

“In conjunction with the Independent Inspector’s report, which is expected in the Autumn, I intend to consider proposed investment levels across my Department, including the impact of Budget 2010, on the strategic roads programme.

“I have received numerous requests for improvements to the strategic road network, incluidng the A6 Belfast to Londonderry, the A26 at Frosses, the A2 at Greenisland and a range of other schemes. I will continue to take account of these requests before forming a view on the way forward.”