Still hope for A26 dualling

In a recent letter to Ian Paisley MP, DRD Minister Danny Kennedy stated that his department is continuing to develop the scheme to a procurement ready position.

Mr Kennedy added, however, that the A26 dualling between Glarryford and Drones, cannot progress beyond that position without a commitment of funding.

The Minister also pointed out that the Inspector’s report of the scheme, received at the end of April, was currently being assessed “to determine if any additional work or changes may be necessary to advance the project”.

Mr Paisley was also informed that the Court ruling on the A5 scheme would add a significant delay to the project and will require adjustments to the capital budget.

Mr Kennedy wrote: “I have set out spending proposals that my Department can deliver quickly and provided options to the Minister of Finance for other major road schemes which could commence in 2014/15 financial year.

“The A26 dual carriageway is one of these schemes.”

UUP MLA Robin Swann, who was also updated on the scheme by the Minister Kennedy, described his response as “a victory for common sense”