Janice Tracey urges business community to have their say on the key road routes in and out of the city. She said "Decisions on route selection are being made now. The development of this NW region and its capital city is directly affected by how effective and efficient access to and from the region and city is. These key schemes will affect not only big business and daily commuters but how the city centre is developed and accessed by our tourist visitors and shoppers. Each of us has a responsibility to make sure we get the access we deserve".

Two major road schemes affecting access to and from the North West are the topic of a number of consultation and information sessions this month.

The Strabane Achnacloy road, critical to linking the North West of the Island with the South and East, is the subject of a public information meeting on Friday 9th May in the Everglades between 12pm and 8pm. This key piece of infrastructure was announced as an upgrade of 88km of road to Dual Carriageway standard. The Chamber has written to Ministers North and South of the border to seek clarity on the standard of this road amidst speculation that the road will merely be upgraded with some passing lanes and pieces of dualling where possible.

Next on the Road Show on Roads will be the consultation on the Derry Dungiven Road. This scheme and the possible routes that the road might take will be discussed on 27th and 28th May in the YMCA in Drumahoe. A number of key issues will be of particular interest - the timing and the potential for expediting the plans are critical. We want to be driving on this road within a 10 year time frame.

However, just as importantly is how the road enters the city and joins up with other key arterial routes will be a key issue. The selection of the preferred route is critical - current plans outline a number of suggested routes between Caw Roundabout and Drumahoe through to Claudy and between Claudy and Dungiven. Clarity needs to be brought as to why routes have been selected and others deselected. This is a critical part of the process and the Chamber would encourage as many people as possible to make representation.

What would also be useful is if at both these events, we could see a line on the map as to how, even at some time in the future, drivers on the A5 dual carriageway will be able to easily access the A6 dual carriageway and vice versa. And really thinking ahead, where and how they might connect in with a third road bridge that must be on the cards at least in the long term planning.