A5 upgrade isvital: research

The Regional Roads Study was commissioned by ICBAN, through a Spatial Planning Initiative funded by the European Union’s European Regional Development Fund through the EU’s INTERREG IVA programme and managed by the Special EU Programmes Body.

It was developed in conjunction with the North West Region Cross Border Group (NWRCBG) and notes that roads connectivity can be a catalyst for the economic growth of the Central Border Region and the North West Quadrant of Ireland.

ICAN claims that: “Slow and often unreliable journey times have an impact on business competitiveness, making the Border Area a less attractive location for both indigenous firms to grow in and other companies to invest in.”

“In short, improved transport connectivities are a critical enabler if the Border Area is to achieve its full economic and social potential and contribute towards the wider economic success of the island of Ireland.

“The report found that in order to improve transport connectivity to and within the Central Border Region it is imperative that improvements are made to two main transport corridors, namely the A5 / N2 between Derry / Londonderry, Aughnacloy and onwards to Dublin and the A4/N16 between Sligo and Ballygawley,” ICBAN claims.

The report concludes with a series of ‘Transport Planning Objectives’ (TPO) in order to address the problems within the region.

These are to complement established government policy and support the long term sustainable economic development of the regions.

Cllr Robert Turner, Chair of the ‘Roads To Opportunity’ Working Group said; “This Roads study provides an evidence-based analysis of the issues and develops arguments for support and funding for both the N16/A4 & N2/A5 which are Key Transport Corridors.

“I am satisfied that that by working with the Governments on both sides of the border we can make the Central Border Region a more prosperous place to live and to do business in.”

Cllr. Eugene McMenamin, Chair of the NWRCBG, also stated: “We are delighted that our work on the roads issues and the nature of joined up working with our partners at ICBAN, has produced this strong socio–economic case for infrastructural development in the North West quadrant.”