Oral Answers to Questions — Regional Development – in the Northern Ireland Assembly at 3:00 pm on 1 February 2016.
5. Ms Maeve McLaughlin asked the Minister for Regional Development following the commencement of the Moneynick section of the A6, will the Dungiven bypass be her next priority. (AQO 9512/11-16)
The A6 Londonderry to Dungiven dualling scheme, which includes a bypass of Dungiven, is well advanced in its development. It has been through a public inquiry, and the inspector has produced a report embracing various recommendations. My officials have prepared a report addressing the recommendations arising from the public inquiry and are reviewing the extent of the scheme, which can be built with the funding allocated in the December 2015 Budget statement. Once I have received those reports and considered them in full, I will make a decision on how the scheme should proceed.
The indicative allocations for the 2017-18 to 2020-21 period will allow my Department to construct elements of the A6 Londonderry to Dungiven scheme, which will include a bypass of Dungiven. Subject to making statutory orders, approval of the final business case and successful procurement, it is possible that the first phase of the Londonderry to Dungiven scheme could commence in the latter part of 2018-19.
Go raibh maith agat. I thank the Minister for that and, indeed, for the commitment to address the issues coming from the public inquiry, but I am probably going to pursue this a bit harder.
Will she provide any more detail on timelines? I think specifically about the Dungiven-Claudy, Claudy-Drumahoe and Drumahoe-Maydown sections.
I thank the Member for her question and for her perseverance. At this stage, I cannot give any specific timeline, other than to say that any announcement will include the Dungiven bypass. I am hopeful that an announcement on the scheme will be made in the coming weeks, once I have received all the final reports and been able to set in place a timescale for delivery.
Does the Minister agree that the completion of the much-needed road project will enhance the tourist and economic potential of this large area of Northern Ireland, including smaller towns such as Magherafelt, Dungiven and Limavady?
I thank the Member for his question. I am conscious of the areas that he represents. It is a key corridor, and the scheme has been on the cards for a long time. I feel privileged to be in a position in which I will be able to make an announcement shortly and to see the area open up and be able to fulfil its tourist potential.
I thank the Minister for her responses so far. Does she agree that it is shocking and bitterly disappointing that we are still discussing the issue half a century after the initial decision was made to bypass Dungiven?
I thank the Member for his question. I share his frustration — probably not quite as much, as the area is not in my constituency — but I have travelled that road many times to see its condition and the time it takes to get to Londonderry through Dungiven, and I share his concerns. However, as I said, I should be able to make an announcement on it very shortly.
I thank the Member for her question. I understand that officials are liaising with landowners, but, if there is something of a particular nature that, the Member feels, needs to be resolved, I am more than content to meet her and the said landowners.