A5 WTC (New Road from Aughnacloy to Derry)

[ziggysego]

The preferred route was unveiled today, after some confusion last week.

http://www.a5wtc.com/Images/PreferredRoute.pdf

[orangeman]

I won't miss the journey through Omagh and all those horrible wee places between Omagh and L'Derry.

[Norf Tyrone]

I won't miss the journey through Omagh and all those horrible wee places between Omagh and L'Derry.

What you going to do when the Roes machine are in senior football?

First person to say teleport gets it.

[ziggysego]

Contractors announced for A5 Derry-Aughnacloy dualling 

The new dual carriageway would bypass Omagh and Strabane

The contractors who will build an £800m dual carriageway between Derry and Aughnacloy have been announced by the regional development minister.

Conor Murphy said three groups of companies, which include Balfour Beattie, Roadbridge and Farrans, will begin work in 2012.

Agreements still have to be made with landowners along the route before construction can begin.

There will also be a public inquiry in summer 2011.

Mr Murphy specified that the contractors will have to employ apprentices and the long-term unemployed.

He also stressed that the project is still subject to the availability of finance.

The 86-kilometre stretch between Derry and Aughnacloy is the largest single road building project on the island of Ireland.

The preferred route for the new route was announced by Conor Murphy in July.

Sourced BBCi: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/foyle_and_west/8400973.stm

[slow corner back]

Contractors announced for A5 Derry-Aughnacloy dualling 

The new dual carriageway would bypass Omagh and Strabane

The contractors who will build an £800m dual carriageway between Derry and Aughnacloy have been announced by the regional development minister.

Conor Murphy said three groups of companies, which include Balfour Beattie, Roadbridge and Farrans, will begin work in 2012.

Agreements still have to be made with landowners along the route before construction can begin.

There will also be a public inquiry in summer 2011.

Mr Murphy specified that the contractors will have to employ apprentices and the long-term unemployed.

He also stressed that the project is still subject to the availability of finance.

The 86-kilometre stretch between Derry and Aughnacloy is the largest single road building project on the island of Ireland.

The preferred route for the new route was announced by Conor Murphy in July.

Sourced BBCi: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/foyle_and_west/8400973.stm

Hope it goes ahead as scheduled but the highlighted part is very concerning. There is no doubt that after the general election, however wins it is going to slash UK public spending.

[armaghniac]

it is difficult to see this road proceeding in a short timescale, given the financial situation.

This might not be a problem for some people, of course

http://www.uup.org/news/environment/environment-news-archive/re-think-needed-over-costly-a5-plans.php

http://www.jimallister.org/default.asp?blogID=1798

[ziggysego]

it is difficult to see this road proceeding in a short timescale, given the financial situation.

This might not be a problem for some people, of course

http://www.uup.org/news/environment/...y-a5-plans.php

http://www.jimallister.org/default.asp?blogID=1798

The UUP link doesn't work, but the Jim Allister blog is as sad as it is predictable.

[armaghniac]

UUP link above fixed.

This is it anyway.

Ulster Unionist MLA Tom Elliott this week joined Lord Laird of Artigarvan and transport specialist Brian Guckian to look at local concerns over the proposed A5 Transport Corridor.

"While there is no doubt in anyone's mind that the existing route is in desperate need of upgrading, the word 'upgrade' rather than 'replacement' is key.

"Attendees at the event in Omagh's Silverbirch Hotel on Monday expressed great concern at the prospect of a new build motorway tearing through acres of virgin countryside.

"Having held a series of meetings from Aughnacloy to New Buildings, it is apparent that feelings over the proposals are very mixed, and that the prospect of an upgrade is welcome, but not at any cost," the Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA said.

"Opposition to these plans is based on a number of factors, from the environmental and personal impact of the build and of increased traffic, to the financial cost. These are all justified concerns and must be given a fair hearing.

"During the course of the meeting we heard issues over the destruction of badger setts, the proximity of the mortorway to an Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI), the proposed build's elevation at certain points - giving rise to fears of dangerous cross-winds, and the £800 million cost for which funds have yet to be allocated.

"These issues were all underpinned by a presentation from rail and integrated transport researcher, Brian Guckian, who offered a compelling argument for extending and replacing the railway network, which has been long abandoned in the region. Interestingly, the estimated cost of such a project amounts to in the region of £300 million - substantially less than the £800 million motorway build," the UUP MLA said.

"Highlighting that the new motorway will take up eight times the land that re-opening the railways would, will use 80 per cent more energy and produce 40 to 60 percent more CO2, Mr Guckian said that these plans completely oppose UK and European best practice.

"If we look to Scotland, and indeed to the wider UK, it is clear that our public transport structure is lagging far behind. To be on a par with our counterparts over the water, we should have some 600 miles of railway - instead we have just 200.

"While I must emphasise that I am fully in favour of improving the existing road network, the extension of rail services into the west is certainly worth considering. It is clear that our dependence on the road network, without an attractive public transport alternative, in turn breeds greater dependence which is costly both in terms of finance and environment.

"The A5 undoubtedly needs huge improvement, but the traffic levels simply don't justify a motorway and indeed a development of this size is contrary to contemporary best practice, which seeks to cut - not encourage - car usage.

"I will be lobbying the Minister to look again at this issue, in the firm belief that where there is a will to find a better solution, there is always a way.

[mayogodhelpus@gmail.com]

Will this road provide an economic benefit to the taxpayers of County Donegal, otherwise the Irish State should redirect the money to projects within the 26 counties to stimulate our economy.

[JohnDenver]

Will this road provide an economic benefit to the taxpayers of County Donegal, otherwise the Irish State should redirect the money to projects within the 26 counties to stimulate our economy.

if they build wider roads in the south there might be a chance you'll pull over and let some real drivers past 

[mayogodhelpus@gmail.com]

Will this road provide an economic benefit to the taxpayers of County Donegal, otherwise the Irish State should redirect the money to projects within the 26 counties to stimulate our economy.

if they build wider roads in the south there might be a chance you'll pull over and let some real drivers past 

South!!! I don't do much driving in Munster. No need for so call real drivers to ever have to pass me, I almost always drive at the speed limit (except if road conditions dictate otherwise). If your passing me out and you are 95% chance of being a speeder. I can drive faster, I choose not too. Its called civic responsibility & moraly right.

[Archie Mitchell]

You'd be shit at playing Mario Kart then.

[JohnDenver]

Will this road provide an economic benefit to the taxpayers of County Donegal, otherwise the Irish State should redirect the money to projects within the 26 counties to stimulate our economy.

if they build wider roads in the south there might be a chance you'll pull over and let some real drivers past 

South!!! I don't do much driving in Munster. No need for so call real drivers to ever have to pass me, I almost always drive at the speed limit (except if road conditions dictate otherwise). If your passing me out and you are 95% chance of being a speeder. I can drive faster, I choose not too. Its called civic responsibility & moraly right.

You've a civic responsibility not to cause road rage and get into the pussy lane.  Last time i checked Aughnacloy was to the north of Mayo.

[mayogodhelpus@gmail.com]

Will this road provide an economic benefit to the taxpayers of County Donegal, otherwise the Irish State should redirect the money to projects within the 26 counties to stimulate our economy.

if they build wider roads in the south there might be a chance you'll pull over and let some real drivers past 

South!!! I don't do much driving in Munster. No need for so call real drivers to ever have to pass me, I almost always drive at the speed limit (except if road conditions dictate otherwise). If your passing me out and you are 95% chance of being a speeder. I can drive faster, I choose not too. Its called civic responsibility & moraly right.

You've a civic responsibility not to cause road rage and get into the pussy lane.  Last time i checked Aughnacloy was to the north of Mayo.

Hard man eh! Speeding, f**k I prefer driving on the outside lane, but I only use it for overtaking, as it was intended. 100,000 speed cameras, thats what this country needs & eletric shock therapy for offenders.

[JohnDenver]

Will this road provide an economic benefit to the taxpayers of County Donegal, otherwise the Irish State should redirect the money to projects within the 26 counties to stimulate our economy.

if they build wider roads in the south there might be a chance you'll pull over and let some real drivers past 

South!!! I don't do much driving in Munster. No need for so call real drivers to ever have to pass me, I almost always drive at the speed limit (except if road conditions dictate otherwise). If your passing me out and you are 95% chance of being a speeder. I can drive faster, I choose not too. Its called civic responsibility & moraly right.

You've a civic responsibility not to cause road rage and get into the pussy lane.  Last time i checked Aughnacloy was to the north of Mayo.

Hard man eh! Speeding, f**k I prefer driving on the outside lane, but I only use it for overtaking, as it was intended. 100,000 speed cameras, thats what this country needs & eletric shock therapy for offenders.

I would use it for overtaking too if boys like you got out of the way    

And listen to Jesus' cub who has never committed an offence in his life