The loss of funding for a huge road upgrade across western parts of NI may yet benefit infrastructure projects in other parts of NI.

Ulster Unionist MLA, Roy Beggs, who is a member of the Stormont Regional Development Committee, has commented on the Irish Republic's refusal to continue with promised funding for the A5 Londonderry to Aughnacloy road upgrade.

"Whilst I am disappointed that the £400m infrastructure investment has been lost, we should at least recognise that it better that this has been clarified before the proposed scheme has commenced.

"If it had been wisely invested in appropriate schemes it could have been beneficial to the local economy," he said, adding that the Committee was advised earlier that the NI Executive was actually scheduled to invest £465m in the A5 over the next three years while Dublin was scheduled to pay only £24m over this period.

He claimed: "NI could have been left 'carrying the can' by investment of over 50% of the Roads Capital budget over the next four years in a project that had been prioritised by politicians rather than by transport specialists."

He continued: "The A2-Greenisland widening is one such scheme that had been scheduled to commence before the funding had been diverted to the grandiose A5 project.

"I would urge the NI Executive to quickly reallocate this funding to infrastructure projects which remove congestion and maximise the benefits to the NI economy.

"The Freight Transport Association has also highlighted the need to dual the A6 between Castledawson and Toomebridge.

"Lives are also being lost regularly on the A26 Frosses Road which needs up-graded.

"A range of schemes could now proceed and benefit the NI economy but we need the Executive to relocate the money which can also provide much needed construction work," he concluded.

Anger

Meanwhile, in a joint statement on the withdrawn of funding for the A5 Aughnacloy/Derry dual carriageway, Pat Doherty MP and the MLA for West Tyrone and the Sinn Fein Donegal TDs, Pearse Doherty and Padraig MacLochlainn and Cavan-Monaghan TD, Caomhghín ÓCaolain have demanded a meeting with an Taoiseach to discuss the ramifications of such a decision.

"Along with my colleagues in the Dáil, I will be seeking an urgent meeting with an Taoiseach to impress on him and his government their commitment to this project under the terms of the St Andrew's Agreement.

"This project was the result of protracted negotiations and agreement between the governments and political parties at St Andrew's and it is incumbent on the Irish government to fulfil its responsibility under that agreement."

(BMcC/GK)