Second round of A5 talks gets underway

The talks began in January and are scheduled to run for up to three months. Landowners will be consulted on issues such as the design of proposed junctions, side roads and other matters arising from the massive infrastructure scheme.

Marielle Colhoun, a Project Manager with Mouchel, wrote to Derry City Council recently to provide councillors with an update on the road plans.

As well as sketching a timetable for a second round of meetings with local landowners she also referred to a delay in obtaining adequate Ground Investigation (GI) information as a result of poor weather conditions.

She stated: "Following the first round of landowner meetings, which are almost complete, we are continuing to compile and incorporate these findings into the development of the design.

"Due to the extensive and constructive feedback that we received during the first round of meetings this has led to the investigation of a number of alternatives along the 86kilometre route.

"Furthermore we have experienced some difficulties with acquiring GI information due primarily to the weather conditions.

"We trust you will agree that in order for the discussions at the second round of meetings to be as meaningful as possible, we need to have as much updated information as possible."

Ms Colhoun advised that the GI data will be needed in order to refine the design and therefore the landtake required.

"In addition, during the forthcoming round of meetings we would also wish to meet with those landowners impacted by the emerging design of junctions, side roads and any alternative proposals taking into account this more detailed survey information," she wrote.

"As a result we have now revised the timing for the second round of meetings, at which we will discuss access provision and mitigation measures."

She said the talks, which started last month, would continue for a period of 12 weeks."