Councillor Seamus Shields welcomed the announcement by Conor Loughrey of DRD Roads Service at Monday's special meeting with Omagh District Council that it is the intention of the authorities North and South to 'fast-track' the proposed upgrade of the Aughnacloy to Derry A5 route.

Cllr Shields told the meeting that he was delighted with the co-operation that was now taking place to bring this busy route up to dual-carriageway standard as this was something he had campaigned for over many years.

He told the meeting that in recent discussions with the Western Divisional Roads Manager, Pat Doherty, he had been told that an entirely new road would be built for entire length of 88 kilometres, making it the largest ever such scheme undertaken in the North. As yet no preferred route-way had been selected.

"This scheme will not only provide improved access from the north-west of the island of Ireland to Dublin and other main ports but will also greatly enhance the economic competitiveness of the region," concluded Councillor Shields.