£242m shortfall in A5, A6 funding pot: Mallon

Ms. Mallon said she was determined to push on with the development of the major Derry road projects during her period of office.

But at a recent briefing of the Stormont Infrastructure Committee she told MLAs that she was working under considerable budget constraints.

“I face an overall pressure of almost £800 million, including money for further delivery of the A5, A6 and Belfast transport hub flagship projects.

“However, my Department has received £558 million. That is a considerable shortfall: over £240 million.

“The flagship projects are potential game changers in improving connectivity across the North, addressing regional imbalance and enhancing our island economy.

“I am fully committed to pushing forward the projects at pace during my tenure, and I am determined to do so,” she said.

Foyle MLA Martina Anderson, who sits on the commitee, asked the minister for an update on the timeframe for the delivery of the A5 and A6 projects.

“I assume that the time frames for both have been affected by COVID,” she said.

The minister replied: “There will be an element of slippage on the A5 and A6. We are trying to ascertain the degree of that. Workers who are working on those projects need to be able to do so safely, so it is something that I am very conscious of.”

Ms. Mallon has acknowledged that Phase 1A of the £1billion A5 scheme - the Newbuildings to Strabane stretch - will probably not start until next spring.