The new minister for Regional Development, the UUP's Danny Kennedy has said he will not be rushed into a decision on the A5 Western Transport Corridor. His comments come before the public inquiry into the £850m project moves to Ballygawley on June 20.

Mr Kennedy has offered no guarantees that the project will go ahead. He says he will wait for the outcome of the meetings before making a decision.

The A5 project is the grandest road scheme proposed for Northern Ireland. The 55 mile length road has been divided into three parts: Section 1, New Buildings to Sion Mills, Section 2, Sion Mills to South of Omagh and Section 3, South of Omagh to Aughnacloy. A total of £35 million has already been spent on developing the project. Around £400m of the budget is due to come from the Government in the Republic however doubts have been cast that this contribution might be cut in the South's struggling economic climate.

At the opening of the inquiry in Strabane last month, objectors were invited to cross examine the evidence and ask questions. Those affected by the route have to fund their own representation. Human Rights Commissioner Monica McWilliams has since written to the DRD highlighting her concerns that "objectors are at a disadvantage because they do not have resources to access expert knowledge or the experience to scrutinise the state's case."

Inquiry inspector, John Cargo, said that all evidence will be considered before the publication of any findings which are expected later this year. Section Three meetings (South of Omagh to Aughnacloy) commence at Kelly's Inn, Ballygawley on June 20 at 10.30am.

The inquiry continues.

Source: Tyrone Courier
Date: Wednesday 8 June 2011