West Tyrone SDLP Lobby for A5 Road

This week the West Tyrone SDLP has been lobbying to get Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy, to ring fence funding for the proposed A5 Western Transport Corridor.

West-Tyrone MLA Joe Byrne stated “The SDLP in West-Tyrone is fully committed to delivering the A5 for the people of the North West. I have been lobbying for the building of this road since the signing of the Good Friday Agreement over 15 years ago. I see this as the greatest opportunity to bring the North West of Ireland, to an equal footing in terms of economic investment, with the rest of the province. I have stated many times that areas in the North West, especially towns like Strabane and its people, have been discriminated against in terms of investment since partition in 1921.”

“The A5 is not only important in an economic sense, but also in terms of safety. I know personally of five families who have lost loved ones on this road. It is a terrible tragedy for any family to endure, and I fully believe that the construction of the new A5 road would greatly improve safety for drivers and reduce fatalities suffered on our roads.”

West-Tyrone Constituency Representative Daniel McCrossan followed on by saying “This road is not only essential at present, but is essential for our future and the future of our children and grandchildren. This road will bring jobs to an area that has seen very little effort made by central government to reduce unemployment. The one beacon of light in an ever darkening future has now been extinguished due to the ridiculous management of the DRD.”

“I would call on the Minister Danny Kennedy to ensure the A5 funding is ring fenced, and all possible efforts made to bring forward the start date for construction. The Minister must realise that the people of the West deserve better!”