Chamber Statement on A5 funding being withdrawn

"Our members will be very unhappy with the decision on the A5. We had hoped and expected that this would lead to the direct and indirect creation of hundreds of jobs and be a major boost to the local economy, both now during the recession and in the longer-term. Improving the transport links in the North West is absolutely essential for us to improve the local economy, to protect and create jobs and to enable our businesses to survive and expand.

"It is absolutely essential now that funds earmarked by the Northern Ireland Executive for the A5 upgrade are reallocated to improving the A6 to Belfast. With a much better link to Belfast we can improve our road connectivity to both Belfast and Dublin. The existing road is probably the worst transport artery in Western Europe between a capital city and its second city - it is a disgrace. The Chamber will ask all local MLAs to support a call for the improvement of the A6 at the worst logjam points - in the Castledawson and Dungiven areas - to begin immediately."

Sinead McLaughlin - Chamber CEO