Councils unite to demand A5 delivery

THE A5 dual carriageway has the power to transform the North-West economy and save lives - but only if governments in Dublin and Belfast stop dragging their feet.

That was the blunt message from Ruairí McHugh, Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, as five councils joined forces in Omagh on Monday to demand urgent action on the long-delayed project.

Speaking at Fermanagh and Omagh District Council headquarters, The Grange, where leaders from Derry and Strabane, Fermanagh and Omagh, Mid Ulster, Donegal and Monaghan councils met to co-ordinate their campaign, councillor McHugh warned that the North-West has been left behind for far too long.

“The A5 has massive potential to transform the North-West economy, particularly for Derry, Strabane and Fermanagh and Omagh,” he said.

“Our colleagues in Donegal and Monaghan say they often feel like the ‘black sheep’ within the southern political establishment.

"It’s the same here in the North-West; Derry, Tyrone and Fermanagh feel like there are no infrastructural benefits coming west of the Bann. That has to change.”

Councillor McHugh stressed that the issue was not just about growth, but about saving lives.

“The A5 has massive potential for the economy, but more importantly there’s a road safety aspect to it too," he said.

"We haven’t given up. It’s important that the public see our unity of purpose, that we’re keeping the pressure on to see the A5 delivered sooner rather than later.”

Monday’s meeting was the first of its kind, bringing together chairs, Mayors and chief executives of all five councils.

They agreed to intensify lobbying efforts, pushing for the A5 to be placed as a permanent item on the agenda of the North-South Ministerial Council.

Councillor Barry McElduff, chairperson of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, who convened the summit, said frustration across the councils was now boiling over.

“As a community we are angry - professionally angry - representing the residents in five council areas,” he said.

“We’ve reviewed the delays, the 19 years of setbacks, and the continuing toll of road deaths - 57 lives lost on this stretch of road. That is unacceptable.

"We now need meetings with the Taoiseach, Tánaiste, Stormont’s First and Deputy First Ministers, Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins and others.

"We want our voices heard at the highest political level.”

The councils also raised deep concern at news last week that the latest appeal against the A5 project could stall progress by up to nine months.

Councillor McElduff said the group’s determination was clear.

“There was a lot of anger in the room - but the key is turning that anger into action," he added.

"People are despairing at yet another legal setback, but it’s our duty to ensure this campaign has resilience until its successful conclusion.

"Everybody deserves to be heard, but the voices that deserve to be heard most are those of the bereaved families.”

The proposed £1.7 billion A5 dual carriageway, first announced in 2007, has been plagued by delays, funding battles and legal challenges.

But now, with five councils speaking with one voice, the message is sharper and louder than ever: the time for excuses is over.