Sinn Fein Backs A5 Road Scheme

A Sinn Fein MLA, who is also the Deputy Chair of the Regional Development Committee at the NI Assembly, Pat Doherty, has insisted that any decision on the future of the A5 by the new Regional Development Minister must not be made on party political considerations.

"The A5 Western Transport Corridor from Aughnacloy to Derry is about providing strong infrastructural networks for communities living west of the Bann, aiding the economic regeneration of these counties.

"If this project were to be delayed, or at worst abandoned, it would be a massive hindrance to this development," he said.

"Danny Kennedy, as the new Minister for Regional Development, needs not to put narrow party political interests before the creation of 1000s of jobs, especially for young people and those within the construction industry, and the further economic regeneration of communities living west of the Bann."

The future of the major cross-border road project is up for review with news that the Stormont Regional Development Minister, Danny Kennedy, is to look again at plans for the western corridor development and wait for the outcome of a Public Inquiry

"I will be looking closely at the level of proposed investment on roads such as the A5," said the newly appointed Ulster Unionist Stormont Executive member.

He said that his emphasis would be on backing sustainable transport and improved road and water infrastructure to support economic growth and social wellbeing.

The Minister said: "Planning for the long term development of the region is important to everyone living in Northern Ireland.

"It is, therefore, essential that we bring forward strategies that support the economy, the environment and help address the needs of the individual."

While he will look afresh at this specific project, his comments did underline that the construction sector is in for a fillip anyway: "I have already referred to the importance of improving the strategic road network," he said.

However, Danny Kennedy added: "There are sizeable pressures on the capital budget in the Department and difficult choices will have to be made over the next four years to deliver the best services and infrastructure in water and sewerage, roads, public transport and strategic development."

The former Minister, Sinn Fein's Conor Murphy announced earlier this year that the Public Inquiry would be held into the proposed A5 Western Transport Corridor dualling project.

He said the formal consultation period associated with the project, which ran from 15 November 2010 until 21 January, attracted over 2,000 objections.

"I welcome the interest in the project and hope that many of the matters of concern can be addressed either before or at the Public Inquiry which is likely to commence in May 2011," he said, earlier this year.

See: Stormont Minister Signals A5 Slow-down

(BMcC/GK)