Murphy expects A5 payment from Dublin

Mr Murphy expressed confidence Dublin would live up to its promises - another £11m installment is due following the publication of draft orders and an Environmental Statement for the scheme - as regards funding the road.

He was asked at the Stormont Assembly when his Department expected to receive payment pledged by the Irish Government to assist with the A5 and A8 road projects.

He replied: “A schedule of the anticipated key milestones and related payments from the Irish Government has been agreed. The first payment, to the value of 9million, was made in November 2009 to the N.I Consolidated Fund.

“It is anticipated that a further payment will be made this year.”

Dublin has thusfar contributed just £7,957,000 to the A5 and A8 fund.

Mr Murphy advised, however, that a further £11m payment was due from Dublin as a consequence of the project reaching its latest milestone before Christmas.

The Roads Minister was also asked if it was feasible to continue with the A5 or whether the upgrading of the existing A5 would be a more cost effective option.

In response he said: “The A5 project will upgrade the Western Transport Corridor to dual carriageway standard from Derry to the South, and complements the Southern Government’s plans to complete the dualling of the route to Dublin.

“This project, which will facilitate economic growth, provides good value for money to the people of the North, particularly in view of the Irish Government’s £400M contribution towards it and the A8 scheme.

“It is my view that the A5 should remain as a high priority and this is reflected in the draft budget which was published on 13 January 2011.”

Mr Murphy poured cold water on the notion of upgrading the existing A5 saying it would be too expensive and disruptive.

“The option of upgrading the existing A5 has been raised before however, it is not considered to be a more cost effective solution due primarily to the difficulties of widening through the urban areas, dealing with the junctions and accesses and the many properties adjacent to the existing A5,” he stated.

“In addition, the alignment of the existing road does not meet the standard necessary for a dual carriageway over most of its length. There would also be significant problems associated with the alteration of services, traffic delays and disruption and safety during construction,” he added.