Funding boost in Stormont budget for A5 and Strule Campus

FUNDING totalling more than £108 million has been allocated under the new Stormont budget to two of the most significant projects ever to be constructed in West Tyrone.

The allocations by the Northern Ireland Executive include £88.5 million to the A5 dual-carriageway between Aughnacloy and Derry. This will be in addition to a package of £400 million which was confirmed by the Irish Government earlier this year.

A further £20 million has been allocated to support the construction of the Strule Education Campus. This money was previously announced by the Education Minister, Paul Givan, and the Finance Minister, Caoimhe Archibald, when they visited Arvalee School and Resource Centre last month.

In total, the A5 is currently estimated to cost around £1 billion. A decision on whether the scheme should go ahead is now being considered by the Infrastructure Minister, John O’Dowd. He has received the report from the Planning Appeals Commission into the Public Inquiry which was held last year.

However, the Sinn Fein politician, has also warned that any decision which he makes could be legally challenged.

The announcement of the funding was made by the Finance Minister, Caoimhe Archibald, on Thursday last. She said that the Draft Budget of £2.1 billion of capital funding would provide investment in hospitals, the school estate, roads and transport network, as well as social housing.

“This includes £181m for Executive flagship projects including the A6, the Mother and Children’s Hospital, the Belfast Transport Hub, the Sub-Regional Stadia programme and Casement Park, as well as a new Learning Development Centre for the Fire and Rescue Service. £88.5m will support the much-needed delivery of the A5 road scheme, while £20m will support the Strule Campus,” she said.

“These projects will support the construction industry, unlock economic benefits and make a hugely positive impact on people’s lives here.”