BY MARK MCKELVEY
m.mckelvey@ulsterherald.com
The preferred corridor for the new A5 dual carriageway scheme from Aughnacloy to Derry will be announced before the end of the year.
This will go through vast amounts of rural areas affecting many landowners throughout Tyrone. Voicing their concerns, West Tyrone DUP MLA Allan Bresland asked the Minister for Regional Development Margaret Ritchie to give an assurance that the landowners and the wider community will be kept informed of the proposals for the A5 scheme.
Responding to this request in the Stormont chamber last week, the Minister said, "I assure the member that that will be the case. He knows that there have been several public information events on the routes that may be considered. Within the next couple of months — before the year is out — I hope to announce the preferred corridor, which will contain several route options."
The Minister revealed that once the route options are finalised that they will go out for public consultation allowing the people who live along that corridor the opportunity to express their views on it. A procedure that has been used already in Tyrone as construction work commences on the A4 from Dungannon to Ballygawley.
The DRD Minister said, "It is a substantial piece of road building, and the biggest that has ever been undertaken on this island. It is going through mainly rural areas and will affect a substantial number of landowners.
"A tried and tested procedure has been gone through for many road schemes, including the A4 extension from Dungannon to Ballygawley, where a substantial number of landowners had to be dealt with. I assure the member that there will be ongoing public consultation. Landowners affected directly will have the opportunity to have their say and to ensure that their voices are heard."
