Minister reaffirms commitment to A5 upgrade in meeting with councils

Infrastructure Minister Chris Hazzard has met with senior officials from five Disrict Councils to reaffirm his commitment to deliver the A5 Western Transport Corridor.

The project is a Stormont Executive-led scheme which aims to provide 85 kilometres (55 miles) of dual carriageway from south of Derry at Newbuildings to south of Aughnacloy. Commenting after the meeting, Chris Hazzard said: “I am encouraged by the commitment and support for the A5 transport corridor shown by Derry and Strabane, Fermanagh and Omagh, Mid Ulster, Donegal and Monaghan Councils. One of my key priorities as Minister for Infrastructure is to remedy the North’s infrastructure deficit - particularly west of the Bann. "The A5 transport corridor will provide a high quality road link between Derry, Strabane, Omagh and Ballygawley; it will unlock the potential for future economic development of these areas, including Counties Donegal and Monaghan; it will create immediate employment with over 1,000 jobs for the construction industry. “The A5 scheme will underpin the economic and social development of the North West. I am currently engaging with Departmental officials to explore options to maximise delivery of the A5 and also want to engage with the Irish Government to ensure that they are key partners in the delivery of this project. The meeting was welcomed by Sinn Féin Foyle MLA Raymond McCartney He said “The A5 dual carriageway is a critical project for the economic development of the North West, particularly now with the uncertainties which have arisen following the EU exit vote.

“The councils have always been mainstays of this project and I am glad that the Minister recognises this and has taken the initiative of briefing the senior officials"