Thomas Pringle TD
THE government’s announcement this week that they will provide €600million toward the construction of the A5 which links the North West to Dublin has been widely welcomed on both sides of the border.
Families bereaved by the more than 50 road deaths on the A5 since 2006 have welcomed the news and expressed the hope that those who challenged the redevelopment of the main artery between Derry and Aughnacloy will now desist.
Businesses on both sides of the border who use the route are anxious to see progress as soon as possible, citing access to markets and ports. It means Donegal and the north west will finally have a fit-for-purpose access route to Dublin.
Community groups and individuals who use the route on a daily basis are anxious to see work started on the long-awaited road improvements.
Announcing the A5 funding as well as €50 million towards the redevelopment of Casement Park in Belfast, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said:
“The commitments we’ve made today are about potential for cross-border communities.”
The news was broadly welcomed by Northern Ireland’s main political parties but DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has said the UK government should “clarify its position” on funding for Casement Park.
SDLP West Tyrone MLA Daniel McCrossan joined forces with Donegal TD’s Joe McHugh and Charlie McConalogue in welcoming the Irish Government’s A5 pledge.
Independent TD Thomas Pringle also welcomed the news.
“The findings of the public inquiry must be published as soon as possible and approval granted so that we can get on with delivering this for people in Tyrone, Derry, Donegal and everyone who travels on it,” he said.
Deputy Joe McHugh welcomed the commitment to the A5 North-West transport corridor and is advancing work on linked road projects including the Donegal TEN-T upgrades in 2024.
“Current infrastructure is not up to the adequate standard needed for the proper development of this region. When directors from major companies come to Donegal, they have to travel on a road that is not up to scratch. Construction of the A5, which could start later this year, will attract more investment to our county and to the northwest region,” he said.
Minister for Agriculture and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue said: “We all know that good transport access for the north west is critical to the future development of Donegal and our region, and central to that is the building of the A5 and the three Donegal Ten T projects. I also welcome the Government’s commitment today to progress the N2 road from Aughnacloy to Clontibret in Monaghan which is also important in ensuring good quality road access to Donegal and the north west.”
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