£107 million will help with bypass but Roads Minister says no further guarantee possible

ROADS Minister Conor Murphy says an additional £107m allocated to his Department over the 2011-15 budget period will allow the commencement of the A6 upgrade with priority going to the Dungiven bypass but beyond that no guarantee was possible.
By The Newsroom
Published 31st Mar 2011, 11:56 BST

Mr Murphy said he was committed to the major infrastructure scheme but progress beyond 2011-15 was dependent on the availability of capital funding during the next budget period.

Asked if he could confirm funding will be allocated for the construction of the entire Londonderry-Dungiven A6 upgrade in the 2011-15 budget period he replied that it would not.

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He stated: “You will be aware that the overall reduction of 40 per cent in the Executive’s capital funding from Treasury, has had a significant impact on my Department’s 2011-2015 budget for infrastructure investment.

“Although significantly constrained by the overall budget allocation, I remain committed to rebalancing infrastructure investment across the North and I have continued to make the case for infrastructure and transport with the Executive.

“An additional £107 million allocated to my Department over the budget period, will allow for the start of road improvements on the A6 and I believe the Dungiven Bypass will be the priority.

“Beyond that, the extent of further improvements on the A6, will be dependent on the availability of capital funding in the next budget period (i.e. beyond 2011-15).”

Related topics:Conor MurphyNorth