£500m boost for Northern Ireland roads

The Northern Ireland Assembly has confirmed a £500m investment in improving its road network.

Chairman of the Northern Ireland Assembly Committee for Regional Development, Jimmy Spratt said: “I am very pleased with Finance Minister Wilson’s announcement to commit almost half a billion pounds into the Northern Ireland roads infrastructure.

"This timely boost to the economy has the potential to create approximately 2,500 jobs over the next four years and will make a significant difference to the people of Northern Ireland.”

The main aims of the investment are to bring forward significant elements of the A5 dual carriageway project between Londonderry and Strabane, and Omagh and Ballygawley; the A8 Belfast to Larne project; and the scheme to dual the A2 Shore Road at Greenisland.

Spratt added: “The investment will have far reaching implications for the economy.

"These proposed infrastructure projects will make Northern Ireland a more attractive marketplace for foreign investors and the improvements to the network will help propel economic growth.”