McCrossan: A5 development mustn't be stopped

The SDLP's Infrastructure Spokesman, Daniel McCrossan says the development of the A5 'cannot be derailed'.

The West Tyrone MLA Daniel McCrossan says the A5 road development project "cannot be derailed" that's after news of a fresh legal challenge against the road yesterday.

He says the development of the A5 could have a "transformative effect" on communities living and working in the West and that to date "people are angry" over a lack of delivery on the project.

The Alternative A5 Alliance (AA5A) stated yesterday that they'd lodged papers with the High Court in Belfast seeking leave for a judicial review into the proposed infrastructure plan. 

The group's chair, John Dunbar, a farmer from Newtownstewart told Q Radio News that their opposition to the A5 was due to a "lack of scope" in a forthcoming inquiry investigating plans for the project.

"There was a preliminary meeting to the public inquiry [due to take place next month], and prior to that we learned that the scope of the inquiry would be very limited and that there were other serious issues that needed to be discussed that were discared, or overlooked, by Transport NI - and we thought, this would be pointless if this went to a public inquiry if we can't make our voices heard about these other issues," Mr. Dunbar told Q Radio News.

Among other reasons, AA5A oppose plans on the basis of the environmental impact it may have.

"We think that building a dual-carriageway to encourage cars is not the way forward, and that the existing road with some by-passes plus a number of other passing opportunities, in other words, two-plus-one sections on the road - just as has been done in the past - we think would be quite sufficient for the A5," Mr. Dunbar added.

LISTEN: John Dunbar, chairperson of Alternate A5 Alliance, explains his groups opposition to plans for the A5.

"And then there are wider issues, on a broader front, with regard to pollution of the atmosphere by extra vehicles. New roads, improved roads would increase traffic as opposed to minimising traffic - we strongly feel that the Government should be doing everything in their power, and they concede this themselves, to get as many people out of cars and onto public transport," he said.

Yesterday, Daniel McCrossan reacted to news of the possible impending legal wrangle - the A5 road project had been driven off course before in 2012 - by saying those "intent on blocking the plan" were doing so against the wishes "of the majority of the people it affects".

The A5 right now!😡 40 minutes in traffic...

How can anyone object to the upgrade if this road?? #buildourA5 pic.twitter.com/EZxYsmiKmk

— Daniel McCrossan MLA (@McCrossanMLA) September 14, 2016

“People in the North West are aren’t just frustrated at the litany of empty promises from successive Ministers on the A5, they’re angry. Angry that despite commitment after commitment and Minister after Minister, no one has delivered on their word and secured this project. They’re right to be angry," Mr. McCrossan said.

LISTEN: Daniel McCrossan MLA, SDLP Infrastructure spokesperson and West Tyrone MLA, has his say on opposition to the A5 road development.

“The development of this major piece of transport infrastructure can have a transformative effect on communities West of the Bann. Making our towns and cities more accessible for investors can unlock limitless opportunity for economic growth and job creation," he added.

“Those intent on derailing this vital infrastructure project are serving no one’s interests but their own," he said.