Byrne: A5 project being ‘Long-fingered’ by Department

This week West-Tyrone SDLP MLA Joe Byrne has accused the Department of Regional development of long-fingering the A5 project, following £150 million of A5 money being used on other projects around Northern Ireland.

Mr Byrne said “The revelations of the A5 money being spent on other roads projects came about following a statement for the Finance Minister Simon Hamilton. Following the Minister’s statement I questioned him stating the Treasury allocated money was project-specific and earmarked for the project, and if the project was still an Executive commitment?”

“Unfortunately the Finance Minister disagreed and stated the money that comes as part of his budget was not specifically earmarked for the A5 project. He also stated he believed it was better for the Minister for Regional Development to take forward consultation on the outstanding environmental aspects of the project. Despite this the Minister stated the A5 was an executive priority.”

“If so why are there so many questions that remain unanswered? How long will this consultation last? Why is it taking so long to carry out the environmental assessment? When will the building work actually begin? These are questions the people of the west deserve answers to. This is the wests greatest opportunity to improve our economic merit through improved infrastructure. Now the Department is long-fingering the project with this environmental impact assessment excuse. Any further delays are simply unacceptable.”