McLaughlin welcomes £258m funding for A6 upgrade

Sinn Féin Foyle MLA Maeve McLaughlin has welcomed a £258 million funding package for the long-awaited Derry to Belfast A6 road upgrade project as part of the 2016/17 budget.

Ms McLaughlin said the announcement was the “most significant” funding announcement for what she described was a “vital infrastructure project.”

Ms McLaughlin added: “The £258 million funding boost contained in the Executive’s 2016/’17 budget is certainly to be welcomed.

“This is the announcement we have been waiting on for 50 years.

“We have been campaigning for the upgrade of the A6 for many years and it is encouraging to see funding now in place to take this project forward.

“It would help transform the economy of the entire north west region and dramatically reduce journey times between Belfast and Derry.”

Ms McLaughlin concluded: “Sinn Féin is committed to seeing the full completion of this hugely important project as soon as possible.”