Main road into Derry has ‘one of the worst traffic bottlenecks in the city’ - Anderson

Speaking after the Minister for Infrastructure Nichola Mallon announced her intention to advance the upgrade of the A2 Buncrana Road, Martina Anderson said:

“This vital road upgrade was first proposed 15 years ago with the latest plans put out for consultation last year. This was the latest of several consultations the scheme has gone through.

“The top of the Buncrana Road is one of the worst traffic bottlenecks in the entire city and with an estimated 24,000 cars using the road every single day,so this road upgrade needs to be urgently progressed.

“While the progression of statutory processes is important, what the people of Derry want to see is delivery on this vital scheme.

“Statutory processes mean little without the follow through to deliver these schemes once they are shovel ready.

“The recent announcement must properly advance the A2 upgrade and I will continue to hold the Minster to account to ensure that this vital road upgrade is progressed.”

The £70m Buncrana Road project - when and if it is delivered - will see two lanes of traffic, new roundabouts and access routes from Pennyburn roundabout to the border at Bridgend.

The overall Buncrana Road scheme is 4.4 kms in length and there have been ongoing discussions with landowners whose properties are affected by the scheme.

Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon announced her intention to progress the plans to dual Buncrana Road and a number of other NI infrastructure schemes and flagship projects as part of her plan to aid economic recovery and community transformation.

Within the Minister’s budget statement last week, she included the funding for the continued development of these projects and Ms. Mallon has now asked officials to “push forward on the development of these important schemes such as the A1 Junctions Phase 2, A24 Ballynahinch By Pass, A4 Enniskillen Southern By Pass, Newry Southern Relief Road, A29 Cookstown By Pass, A2 Buncrana Road and A32 ( Omagh to Enniskillen) at Cornamuck”.

The Department said the Minister has now set the wheels in motion and has asked officials to work at pace to progress these schemes, and intends to provide further announcements later to keep the public updated on progress.

The Minister has also reaffirmed her commitment to the A5 and A6 schemes. While Covid-19 has impacted construction work on the A6, this is continuing and it is hoped that the Toome to Castledawson section could be completed in Spring 2021.

In relation to the A5, following a public inquiry and the successful completion of the statutory processes, construction could commence in mid 2021.

Minister Mallon said: “These strategic and flagship road improvement schemes span Northern Ireland and will deliver for many communities and help to address regional imbalance.

“Many communities across the North have waited a long time for progress to be made and, while Covid-19 has left considerable challenges, I have been determined to get the wheels in motion and get these schemes back on track.

“Each scheme is at a different stage and I have asked my officials to bring forward plans to press ahead in the short and longer term.

“While these are uncertain and difficult times, with a focus on green recovery, I also recognise that our road infrastructure needs updated to relieve traffic in towns, explore options for active travel and reshape our places to deliver towns and cities that work for our communities and aid economic growth.

“I hope to be in a position in the coming weeks to provide a further update on the progress being made.”