SDLP West Tyrone MLA Daniel McCrossan has pressed Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd for progress on the A5 road project.

He was speaking during Assembly questions to the Minister at Stormont on Tuesday.

Mr McCrossan asked the Minister to outline when he would publish the findings of the Planning Appeals Commission report following a public inquiry into the redevelopment.

West Tyrone MLA Mr McCrossan said:

“The findings of the Planning Appeals Commission into the A5 redevelopment have been with the department for six months now and the Minister has been in a post for a number of months, still we are no clearer on when this will be published and we can get on with building this road. The Minister told me today that it could be months more before the findings are published and that will cause concern among everyone who wants to see work begin before the end of this year.

“Fifty people have lost their lives on this road since 2007, just last week Oonagh Burns was tragically killed at just 35-years-old. My thoughts are with her family and friends as they come to terms with their loss. This week we have already seen three incidents on the A5, it is clear that until we deliver this long-awaited road project people will continue to suffer injuries and death, leaving devastated families in their wake and that’s the message I gave to the Minister today.

“There can be no further delay and we don’t have any time to lose, this is about keeping everyone who travels on the A5 road safe. I would urge the Minister to do everything within his power to publish the PAC findings at the first opportunity and outline a firm timeline for delivering the A5. The SDLP Opposition will continue to demand progress on this vital infrastructure project which will make a huge difference to life in this area.”