Transport Minister, Danny Kennedy has announced that the Executive has agreed to around £40m funding to support a scheme to construct a bypass in Magherafelt.

The Executive's support for the scheme was announced by the Finance Minister in the Assembly today.

The A31 Magherafelt Bypass will comprised 3km of single carriageway and extend from the Moneymore Road at its junction with Coolshinny Road in the south, to the A6 Castledawson Roundabout in the north.

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Mr Kennedy said: "I want to welcome today's announcement which will deliver this long-awaited scheme particularly for all those who travel through Magherafelt and have experienced delays due to traffic congestion.

"As Transport Minister, my key goal is to ensure that the public are able to travel with ease whether that is on our roads, cycle lanes or footpaths. While there are many major road schemes that I would like to progress, funding pressures mean that this is not always possible.

"Today's announcement will not only benefit the local economy but will also provide a significant boost to the construction industry creating around 200 jobs over the duration of the project which is vitally important in the current financial climate."

(CD/JP)