A5 upgrade 'back on track' - DFM

Published Friday, 11 November 2011
Comments
Toggle font size
Print

Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness has told UTV the upgrade of the A5 road is "back on track", after he and First Minister Peter Robinson held talks with Taoiseach Enda Kenny on Friday.

Video available to UK viewers only.
We’re sorry. This video is unavailable from your location.

Earlier this week, the Irish Government announced the withdrawal of the £400m funds earmarked for the expansion of the road in the 2011-2015 budget period.

Dublin blamed "tight fiscal constraints" for the decision.

However, UTV now understands the Irish Government will announce fresh details of their contribution to the project during next week's North South Ministerial meeting in Armagh. It is expected to be significantly lowered.

The Irish government contribution to the A5 will only be a fraction of the original £400m but enough to re-profile the project.

UTV's Political Editor Ken Reid on Twitter (@KenReid_UTV)

"It's far from dead," Mr McGuinness told UTV. "I think, as a result of our discussions today, we're greatly heartened by what we've heard and we look forward to completing some work ourselves and the Taoiseach over the course of the coming days."

"It's fair to say it's back on track again," he added.

Mr Robinson explained Dublin's contribution would be "re-profiled rather than lost".

UTV's Political Editor Ken Reid says it doesn't mean the whole A5 project will be going ahead.

"My Irish Government sources are saying it was hard work but they feel that a contribution should be made.

"They could look at areas like the road from Derry to Strabane; perhaps that could be given priority," he said.

Joint financial support to dual the road at a cost of £850m was agreed as part of the St Andrew's Agreement in 2006, and construction was expected to start in 2012.

The planned 54-mile long carriageway from Londonderry to Aughnacloy was designed to slash travel times from Northern Ireland to the Republic.

© UTV News
Comments Comments
7 Comments
Andrew in Belfast wrote (191 days ago):
@ PEARL..... What car do you drive ? can do 54 miles in 20 mins !!!!!
pearl in strabane wrote (192 days ago):
"slash travel times from northern ireland to the republic" yeh right 54 miles of disruption and misery to local farmers all along the proposed route to save a skittery 20 minutes to dublin. that money could be spent building the much needed cancer treatment centre at altnagelvin to save the 150 miles daily round trip that those from the north west have to endure to go for treatment rather than wait another 6 years for it to be built and the cost would probably double
Phil in Belfast wrote (193 days ago):
Never mind the road £450m could be better spent! For a start some of it could be spent on this appeal for an mri scanner http://www.u.tv/news/MRI-scanner-for-sick-children-appeal/97304f76-a18b-4799-bdb2-30330b899b36
Kevin in Belfast wrote (193 days ago):
@ John, You do realise that ROI are in much better shape finacially than NI. The reason why ROI havent paid back that loan to england is because they just recieved it 3 weeks ago. And if you wana know what a begger looks like, then look no further than NI as our executive scream poverty every month to britain because the ROI can offer more to investors than NI can. Be thankful for that we are not direct rule because britain would strip more from NI than what your executive have fought hard for.
marty in Ireland wrote (193 days ago):
In the current economic climate the costs of this project should fall! A public works dept should be formed. cut out the costly consultants and contractors.
POST A COMMENT:
Name:  
Email address*:    
Location:  
Validation:
House Rules:  
Your Comment:  
[All comments are moderated and will not appear immediately. Your name, location and comment will be displayed on this page if your post passes moderation.]
KEN  THOMPSON
It is well known that elite sportsmen and women use advanced breathing and focalising techniques to get themselves "into the zone" where exceptional performance becomes the norm.
MOST POPULAR GALLERIES