Council Chair welcomes funding announcement for the A5 Western Transport Corridor

The Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Councillor Thomas O’Reilly, has welcomed the Irish Government’s commitment of an increased funding contribution to the A5 Western Transport Corridor.

Speaking following the announcement by An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar TD, of the Irish Government’s commitment to fund €600m towards the overall investment required for the scheme, Councillor O’Reilly said:

“Fermanagh and Omagh District Council has called for investment in the A5 Western Transport Corridor for many years and very much welcomes this announcement.

The A5 Western Transport Corridor is of strategic importance to the Omagh area and the wider sub-region, improving connectivity to both the North West and south to Dublin. The proposed scheme will not only stimulate economic growth and development and enhance connectivity, it will also improve road safety.

Too many lives have been lost on the A5. While the announcement is positive, our thoughts are with all those who have lost loved ones or have been injured due to a road traffic accident on the A5.  In this regard, I would like to pay particular tribute to the A5 Enough is Enough campaign group, who have worked tirelessly to support investment in the A5 so that its benefits, including that of road safety, are realised.

The Council now looks forward to the NI Executive recommitting to providing the remaining funding required to deliver the scheme and to the Minister for Infrastructure taking a positive decision in relation to the report from the Public Inquiry into the scheme so that it can be progressed without any further delay.”