SDLP Infrastructure Spokesperson Mark H Durkan has welcomed a date for the opening of the A6 road scheme after a number of delays.

The road is set to open to motorists on Thursday afternoon.

Mr Durkan said the Department for Infrastructure must now turn their attentions to the final phase of the project.

Foyle MLA Mr Durkan said:

“After being beset by obstacles and delays I’m glad that we will now finally see the Dungiven to Drumahoe phase of the A6 road scheme open to motorists this week. This will be welcome news for everyone who regularly travels this road given the delays that the final stages of the work have been causing in the area for some time.

“This work will not only cut journey times, but will improve road safety, bring our communities closer together making it easier for people travelling to Derry, including tourists who are an important part of our city’s economy. I believe that modern transport links are also vital to address the underinvestment in our area and I hope this road will go some way to rectifying those issues. I know that people living and working along the route, especially in the Dungiven area will welcome the end of gridlock and congestion which contributes to poor air quality in the town.

“The Department for Infrastructure must now turn its attentions to starting work on the final section of this project improving the road from Drumahoe to Maydown. We must ensure that mistakes that were made when carrying out work on the latest section of the road are not repeated and the SDLP will keep pressing until we see this work delivered to benefit everyone in the wider area.”