SINN Fein Councillor Danny Breslin has welcomed the announcement from the DRD Roads Service that a 1400 metres of main road and footways through Sion Mills are going to be reconstructed and resurfaced as part of the £3.3 million maintenance and capital improvement road works budget allocated to Strabane District for the coming year.

Speaking this week, cllr Breslin said, "It has been 16 years since this an upgrade was carried out on this stretch of the A5 road through Sion Mills and while this announcement is long overdue it is none the less to be warmly welcomed.

"No date has yet been set for the commencement of this major scheme but I have been assured that it will be completed within the 2007-2008 financial year.

"As with every such major scheme there will undoubtedly be major disruption but the Divisional Roads Manager has said to me that everything possible will be done to keep this disruption to a minimum including trying to ensure that traffic moves freely during peak hours, highlighting the works timetables in the local press and radio and consulting with the local community group and all affected parties.

"I also welcome the inclusion of work to provide sightlines and undertake the realignment of the junction at Bellspark Road/Peacock road as part of the Minor Works Programme for 2007-2008.

"I am currently lobbying for street lighting to be installed along Concess Road and hope that the DRD will now prioritize this."