Derry Airport Benefits From Road Upgrade

Improvements to a major road in the North West are a further example of the Stormont Executive's commitment to improving infrastructure in the area.

The scheme involved upgrading 6.6km of the A2 between Campsey and the City of Derry Airport to dual carriageway standard.

According to the Sinn Fein Minister for Regional Development, Conor Murphy (pictured), that's in line with the NI Executive's priorities, to allow the region to maximise and realise its full economic potential.

He was underlining the importance of the roads' scheme as he officially opened the £45m A2 Maydown to City of Derry Airport dualling scheme.

The new road includes three new roundabouts located at the heavily trafficked intersections at Campsey, Broadbridge and the City of Derry Airport.

The Minister said: "The completion of this project is an important step forward for the people of the northwest.

"The new dual carriageway will help ease congestion, resulting in improved safety and journey times for traffic travelling on this route," he said, noting that since taking up office in May 2007, he had been committed to delivering balanced regional infrastructure, tackling regional disparities and reversing decades of under investment in the northwest.

Also commenting, party colleague, Sinn Fein MLA for Foyle, Martina Anderson said: "I welcome the opening of the A2 providing links to the City of Derry Airport, the key air transport hub in the northwest.

"All of this investment demonstrates Sinn Fein commitment to economic investment and recovery and I welcome it."

The Regional Development Minister and Martina Anderson also visited City of Derry Airport to meet with Airport Manager Damien Tierney.

That visit came soon after he welcomed funding of £8.6m for essential safety works at the airport announced in the February (Stormont) Monitoring round.

The Minister said: "I have long supported the City of Derry Airport as a significant gateway to the North West of Ireland and the funding for essential safety works will allow for further improvements at the airport.

"I bid for this funding which will now allow my Department to pay grant towards essential safety works at City of Derry Airport, for the upgrade of its runway and infrastructure to meet the safety requirements of the Civil Aviation Authority."

(BMcC/GK)