West Tyrone MLA Declan McAleer has challenged DRD Minister Danny Kennedy to make a clear statement outlining his Department's programme for construction of the A5 Dual Carriageway.

Speaking after receiving correspondence from the Minister, which indicated that public consultation exercises on the project would not commence until Spring 2014, Mr McAleer stated: "Whilst Minister Kennedy's response reiterated DRD's and the Executives commitment to the A5 Western Transport Corridor, it has also raised a number of questions which need to be addressed.

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"While work on the Appropriate Assessment has been ongoing since the Spring the Minister has failed to say when he will be in a position to sign off on this assessment but goes on to state that a public consultation on the Appropriate Assessment is expected to take place in Spring 2014.

"The Minister has also revealed that a review of the Environmental Statement has taken place and an addendum to the Environmental Statement will be published. I understand that this will also be subject to a public consultation, which may explain why his letter referred in the plural to consultation exercises, but this needs clarity.

"This latest correspondence from Minister Kennedy has raised more questions that it has answered. I have therefore contacted his office requesting that he makes a clear statement that outlines the next steps and indicative timeline for commencing work and completion of the A5 Western Transport Corridor. The people of the West and the beleaguered construction industry deserve answers."

(CD/JP)