POLITICIANS and groups in Donegal representing businesses and students have lodged submissions to the A5 pre inquiry public meeting, calling on the government not to renege on the commitment it made on the major infrastructure project more than a decade ago.
Sinn Féin TDs Pádraig MacLochlainn and Pearse Doherty, Atlantic Technological University (ATU) and Letterkenny Chamber of Commerce have submitted proposals emphasising road safety in the wake of a fatal crash which claimed the lives of three family members on the A5 on April 27.
The ‘A5 Enough is Enough’ campaign group is hosting the pre-inquiry meeting in the Silverbirch Hotel in Omagh on Tuesday at 7.30pm. It comes ahead of a five-day public inquiry into the road improvement project, which starts on Monday, May 15 in the Strule Arts Centre in the town.
New environmental and other information in relation to the estimated £1.6 billion scheme will be examined at the hearing, to be conducted by the Planning Appeals Commission.
Details of the A5 Western Transport Corridor (WTC) were first revealed in 2007, with a preferred route being announced in 2009. However, the scheme has been halted by legal and other problems during the intervening period.
Speaking to the Donegal News, Deputy MacLochlainn said the neglect of essential infrastructure in Donegal and the wider north west cannot continue.
He said the loss of three people’s lives on the notorious stretch of road last week has thrust the need for the road’s upgrade into the spotlight once again.
“Myself and Pearse Doherty have made a submission to next week’s meeting. We also contacted ATU, Letterkenny Chamber of Commerce and Donegal County Council to see if they would also like to make a submission. In fairness to those bodies they to have made their own submissions emphasising road safety and equality of access for all people on the island of Ireland.”
Deputy MacLochlainn said he welcomed the Tánaiste’s recent remarks in the Dáil on infrastructure, but said these words must be backed up with action.
“We need more than just words in Donegal and the Northwest of Ireland. When you look at the map of transport links on the island of Ireland, be it roads, rail or air, the sheer neglect of this region and our people is palpable.
“There was a commitment made during the St Andrew’s Agreement in 2006 that the Irish government would co-fund the A5 road 50/50 with the Stormont Executive.
“Over the years that has been watered down by the Irish government.”
He said the latest tragedy on the A5 has brought a sense of renewed impetus.
“There is a real momentum, a grassroots movement on this again. We have lost a decade. The whole thing has been heartbreaking. We are going back to the government to say they cannot renege on the agreement made in 2006.
“There is now a renewed energy and determination and a grass roots campaign to get the A5 upgrade up and running at last and I am calling on the Irish government to honour the pledge it made back in 2006 and to recommit to equally co-fund this vital project along with the British government and the Stormont Executive.”
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