A public inquiry into the trapped A5 upgrade has been welcomed as an opportunity for people and communities to have their voices heard.
Forty-seve people have died along the road since it was approved for an upgrade in 2007.
A public inquiry resumed in Omagh today to examine the long-running issues preventing the road upgrade.
Sinn Féin TD Pearse Doherty, who attended the meeting this morning, said: “This is an important opportunity for people and communities to voice their support for this critical project.
“As I said to the Minister for Finance in the Dáil on Thursday, the A5 upgrade is critical to prevent further lives from being lost on this road.
“Too many families have lost loved ones on this dangerous road. Its upgrade cannot be delayed any longer.
“It will also unlock economic opportunities for the North West region – reducing journey times, increasing connectivity and acting as a spur for further jobs and investment.
“The project has been beset by delay after delay – it is now time to deliver this infrastructure project for this region and its communities.
“I would urge local businesses and residents to attend the inquiry and make their views and support heard.
“And as I said to the Government last week, it is time that the Irish Government recommit to funding its delivery on a 50:50 basis, to get this critical project over the line.”
