SDLP West Tyrone MLA Daniel McCrossan has warned that more lives will be lost on the A5 road without progress on the upgrading scheme.

Mr McCrossan was speaking after a number of deaths on the road in recent weeks.

He said every option should be exhausted to bring the project forward and save lives.

West Tyrone MLA Mr McCrossan said:

“I am incredibly frustrated that well over a decade on from the beginning of plans to upgrade the A5 road we are still waiting. The reality is the delays to carrying out this vital work have cost people their lives, have left families heartbroken and communities ripped apart. Just in recent weeks we have seen a number of deaths on this road and we cannot allow the current situation to continue.

“The frequency of deaths on this road is startling, since 2006 we have seen upwards of 40 people lose their lives while travelling on the A5. This is the most dangerous road anywhere on these islands and it’s utterly disgraceful that this work has been repeatedly held up by legal challenges and red tape with drastic consequences for those who travel along it.

“We have heard speculation that work on this upgrade could finally begin next year, but we can’t afford to wait. I would urge Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd to exhaust every option open to him to bring this project forward and begin work as soon as possible. I understand the challenges we are facing right across our society, but people’s lives are at stake and we need to act now or more people will die on this road.”