Road proposals are outlined

A feasibility report has been published, examining options to improve the road network into and around the city of Londonderry in the future.

The report was prepared on behalf of the Department for Regional Development's Roads Service by civil engineering consultants Scott Wilson. It examines the proposals to improve the primary road network approaching Londonderry and considers how traffic on these proposed roads could best be distributed into and around the city.

Transport Minister Conor Murphy said: "The high level study will help to establish the infrastructure required to manage traffic arriving on the outskirts of the City on the new A5 Aughnacloy to Derry and A6 Dungiven to Derry dual carriageways which will get underway in the next few years. The extension of the Clooney Road dual carriageway from Maydown Roundabout to the City of Derry Airport will also open to traffic later this year.

"These major investments in road improvements by Roads Service will significantly improve road links to the city and this report examines a future strategy for distributing this traffic into and around the city. It is important to plan ahead to establish what infrastructure may be required in the future to manage traffic arriving via these new roads. "

In particular the report focuses on: connecting the A5 at Newbuildings to the A6 at Drumahoe; new crossing of the River Foyle; and the provision of a 'West Link' road from the A5/A6 link, around the west of the city to the Buncrana Road.

The report notes that an initial feasibility study of "high level options" has been carried out to establish the feasibility of building the A5/A6 link in terms of route alignment and key environmental constraints. It also notes that similar feasibility studies of high level options should be undertaken, to assist in establishing if the other links are feasible in terms of route alignment and key environmental constraints.

According to the Scott Wilson report, examination of the recorded traffic flows in 2007 showed that, during a typical weekday, 33,600 vehicles used the Foyle Bridge, with 26,920 using the upper deck of Craigavon Bridge. The report estimated that a combined total of 43,600 used the two decks of Craigavon bridge, meaning that an estimated 77,300 vehicles crossed the River Foyle each day. The report said a significant volume of traffic (15%) passed through the city rather than to destinations within it and therefore would benefit from an outer strategic road network around Londonderry.

It also said that 70,200 vehicles travelled to or from the city daily, of which 29,500 travelled to or from the west. A total of 18,300 vehicles were on the A2 Buncrana Road, and 11,200 vehicles used the A40. A total of 40,700 vehicles were recorded in the east - including 15,100 on the A2 at Eglinton, 13,600 on the A6 at Drumahoe and 12,000 on the A5 at Newbuildings.

In all, 46% of trips approaching Londonderry crossed the River Foyle. The report also pointed out that an alternative bridge would provide an effective alternative especially when the Foyle Bridge was shut due to severe weather conditions. Furthermore it would eliminate the need for all strategic and heavy goods traffic to pass through the city by using Craigavon Bridge,

However the study said that the full benefits could only be realised if there was an appropriate high quality link to the National Roads Authority's strategic roads network in the Republic.

Overall, the recommendations set out in the report provides Roads Service with sufficient information to make an informed decision as to the most appropriate way forward in terms of identifying schemes for development in accordance with standard procedures. It said any subsequent development of feasible schemes should consider "the benefits and disbenefits associated with various corridors in terms of engineering feasibility, environmental impact, operational performance, economic viability and overall affordability".