A5 funding fears

Ulster Unionist Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA Tom Elliott has expressed serious concerns over the funding for the new A5 road.

"Having asked the DRD Minister to confirm the financing of the proposed A5 Transport Corridor my fears have been far from eased by his response.

"According to Minister Murphy the Irish Government has agreed to stump up some €400 million of the overall cost. Northern Ireland's half, however, is to come from 'future Budgets'.

"When we are, as a country, teetering on the edge of a financial abyss, with a black hole that can only become deeper with potential cuts to the Northern Ireland Block Grant, this seems utterly irresponsible.

"The chance of a capital project of this size going ahead is slim if there are other, more pressing, spending imperatives within the forthcoming Budget.

"Mr Murphy's assurances that the project has already started 'on the basis that the money for the A5 and A8 projects has been identified and secured from future Budgets' is cold comfort when we hear of Northern Ireland's worsening financial pressures.

"While the forthcoming initial instalment of €9 million from the Republic's Government is not to be sniffed at, it is a drop in the ocean in terms of the overall £800 million cost. Put this in the context of the Republic's own financial difficulties, which have been acknowledged as even worse than those experienced in Northern Ireland, and quite honestly I have limited confidence in this project's future.

"News that the issues of land acquisition, access and compensation are all being addressed, and that the design stage is ongoing, 'in anticipation that the moneys will certainly continue to be made available', will also not be welcomed by members of the community who are less than happy with the plans to date.

"Such uncertainty will only fan the flames of dissatisfaction for those who feel that a motorway is excessive when an upgrade would do.

"Not only are we looking at tearing up virgin countryside and adding to traffic levels - with related environmental issues, but also adding to the pressures on an already empty financial pot."