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Lobby group's relief at withdrawal of A5 funds
The lobby group which led opposition to the £850m A5 proposals last night expressed relief that the scheme will now not go ahead as planned.
The Alternative A5 Alliance (AA5A) said the Irish government's announcement that it was postponing its £400m contribution should be viewed as an opportunity to consider scaled-back proposals.
Malcolm Lake from the AA5A group said: “The Government should seek the co-operation of the stakeholders, with a fresh, unbiased look at ideas for the transport infrastructure of the north west of Ireland”.
Finance Minister Sammy Wilson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness yesterday said that the plans for the A5 were by no means being scrapped.
The issue will be raised at this Friday’s meeting of the North- South Ministerial Council, with pressure expected to be put on the Irish government to give a concrete funding commitment.
SDLP Foyle MP Mark Durkan said: “This was going to be a case of questioning the Irish government to get further clarity and a commitment of funding within the preferred timescale.”
Belfast Telegraph
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