Plans to proceed with a £46m dual carriageway between Broadbridge Maydown and City of Derry Airport will give the airport a major boost, it was claimed today.

The Regional Development Minister Conor Murphy gave the green light for the improved road yesterday after considering an inspector’s report on the public inquiries held to consider the A2 Broadbridge scheme.

Mr Murphy has now tasked Roads Service with progressing the major road scheme, taking into account the inspector’s recommended amendments.

Construction of the scheme, which will provide 6.6km of dual carriageway from Maydown Roundabout to the airport, is now expected to start early next year.

The Minister said: “I welcome the benefits to road users with the provision of a new all purpose dual carriageway.

“This will help to accommodate increasing traffic flows, resulting in reduced journey times and making the road a safer and more attractive route for east/west traffic on the A2.

“This improvement will in turn contribute towards the continued economic development of the north and efforts to improve road safety.”

The A2 is part of the Northern Key Transport Corridor connecting Belfast to Londonderry via Coleraine. It is the main road connecting Limavady to Derry and provides links to the Maydown and Campsie industrial zones.