New plans for cross-border motorway

Government officials from Dublin and Belfast have been tasked to draw up new plans for the major cross-border A5 road.

The decision to consider a new “funding and implementation plan” was made by both administrations at a meeting of the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) in Armagh.

This comes after the Irish government said it was unable to provide the €467m it had pledged to the dual carriageway.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny, First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness all reaffirmed their commitment to the road that will run from Derry to Augnacloy, linking Donegal to Dublin.

But its future direction will now depend on the fresh round of discussions between officials from north and south.

Mr McGuinness said: “I think it is still a work in progress.”

He said people were tempted to write off the project when news of the Irish government decision was made known.

He said as a result of discussions however the Irish government had now agreed to assign €29.2m in 2015 and €29.2m in 2016.

Mr McGuinness said: “Against the backdrop of the financial difficulties that exist, it’s a matter of how we can take the process forward.

“It is far, far too soon to write this project off.”

Mr Robinson said the Executive was still committed to the A5 and the A8 that runs from the Port of Larne to Belfast.

The Taoiseach said the decision to support the A5 was a formal decision of Government and he reaffirmed that commitment.

He added: “That has sent out the message that the commitment that we have made is against the background of very changed economic circumstances.

“We recognise this as being a flagship project for the North West and we want to see that it happens, and given the constraints that are on us financially, we have made that visible, formal decision to allocate in 2015 and 2016.”

Mr McGuinness said: “I think it’s fair to say that we are content that officials, as a result of an NSMC decision, have been charged with the responsibility to bring forward a funding and implementation plan.”

Mr Robinson said the road had to be seamless, work could not start and then end until funding arrived.

“There needs to be some certainty about the match funding that would be there.”