Robinson welcomes A26 announcement
Thursday, 14 August 2008
EAST Londonderry Assembly member George Robinson has welcomed the announcement that a further section of the A26 is to be made into a dual carriageway, claiming that it will bring new benefits to his north west constituency.
The DUP member said the road between Ballymena and Ballymoney was an important arterial route to East Londonderry and that the planned improvement was a positive development.
However, he added that he still wanted to see movement on a number of other projects, including investment in the Dungiven by-pass and the Gortcorbies climbing lane on the Limavady to Coleraine road.
"I will continue to lobby for the investment in the Dungiven by pass - a project of critical importance to the people of Dungiven for health reasons - and the Gortcorbies climbing lane on the Limavady to Coleraine road," said Alderman Robinson.
“Both are projects on equally important routes to this area and I intend to make sure that the Minister does not forget their importance in developing the road infrastructure which will aid our economic development and growth in East Londonderry."
On the continuing upgrading of the A26, Mr Robinson said the announcement was 'long overdue' but also very welcome.
“I have often brought this road, and the lethal legacy it has, to the attention of the Minister and at long last we have a positive announcement. All statutory procedures have at last allowed the preferred route to be announced and hopefully construction will begin inside the next two or three year," he continued.
“This is an arterial route which is of critical importance to the East Londonderry constituency as many residents are frequent users for either business or pleasure. It is also a main route for goods both in and out of the constituency. This announcement means that positive steps are being taken to ensure this road is of 21st century design and capable of meeting the increasing demands that road users place upon it.
“More importantly, the upgrade should reduce the appalling loss of life that this road has witnessed over many years.
“I do appreciate that local residents are going to be affected by this new route, but I hope that they realise the immense importance of the A26 as an arterial route to East Londonderry - and Northern Ireland in general - and do not drag this upgrade process out by seeking a public enquiry. I was very impressed by the resident interviewed yesterday who did appreciate this very point despite the fact that he was going to be personally affected by the new route."
