SDLP West Tyrone MLA furious as budget for A5 WTC scheme loses £30 million

by Gráinne Connolly

The Department for Infrastructure's Permanent Secretary has revealed that the A5 WTC (Western Transport Corridor) scheme budget has been reduced by £30 million for this year. 

Initially, the budget for this year was meant to be £40 million, however only £10 million has been allocated. 

Daniel McCrossan, the SDLP MLA for West Tyrone received this news in a letter from the Department of Infrastructure. 

It was only after the MLA had written to them on two occasions for more updates on the scheme and the cause for recent delays. 

Below you can see the Department of Infrastructure's response letter: 

A5 update - Department of Infrastructure

The loss of money has left the MLA furious: 

"It is hugely concerning that instead of £53 million being spent in the last two years, only £13 million will actually be spent - and that's only if the scheme gets up and going by the end of the year. 

"The benefits of this scheme are abundantly clear for people living in the West who have lost out in terms of infrastructure development for far too long. 

"The A5 will open up economic opportunity, increase transport connectivity and importantly, reduce road deaths. 

"The only positives I can see is that the Permanent Secretary is able to sign off on the first phase of the scheme and that is a welcomed development."

MLA McCrossan also thinks the constant delays and setbacks in the scheme is due to the "political uncertainty and bickering between DUP and Sinn Fein" which has left it in long term jeopardy. 

"Funding meant for the A5 will be going elsewhere. That is concering especially if we consider that the Southern Government look like recommitting £400 million for the A5 upgrade. 

"Yet in Stormont, certain parties cannot come together in the better interests of everyone."

While the SDLP Councillor says the benefits of the scheme are clear, the £30 million loss proves that there is inequality for "people living West of the Bann".

In order to move forward, it seems it's down to the political parties to make a deal otherwise more people are going to suffer. 

MLA Daniel McCrossan will be meeting with the Permanent Secretary of the Department for Infrastructure, which will be followed by a meeting with the Irish Government concerning the scheme, its budget and how to progress long term. 

SDLP West Tyrone MLA Daniel McCrossan has been speaking to Q Radio in more detail about the scheme. 

Listen to the full interview below: