Derry A5 stretch ‘could’ start in 2021

She was asked about the road project by Foyle MLA Martina Anderson who enquired whether all phases could be advanced together.

“Subject to a favourable outcome from the Public Inquiry held during February and March of this year and the successful completion of all statutory procedures and environmental assessments, construction work on the first phase of the scheme, Phase 1A from New Buildings to north of Strabane, could commence during 2021,” she stated.

Lobbyists for the road will hope the ‘could’ caveat does not lead to further slippage.

In January Ms. Mallon suggested work on the Derry stretch could start in late 2020 or early 2021, completing in 2023. However, that was recently revised out to April 2021 at the earliest. The Minister, in response to Ms. Anderson, said the whole road could still be finished by 2028.

“The indicative programme for the whole scheme, as published in an addendum to the Environmental Statement of last year, indicated a phased approach to delivery, leading to scheme completion in 2028. It is considered that this overall completion date remains achievable.

“This would require the construction of more than one phase simultaneously over this time period. However, the commencement of construction and progression of each phase is clearly dependent on the successful completion of the above mentioned statutory processes and assessments, and the funding made available to my Department over this period,” she said.