The Regional Development Minister's announcement that work could begin on the A5 development next year is "all talk and no teeth", according to the SDLP.

The party's Infrastructure Spokesperson and West Tyrone MLA Daniel McCrossan said Minister Michelle McIlveen's reference to her limited plans being, "subject to successful completion of statutory procedures" also raises more than a few eyebrows.

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Mr McCrossand said: "Sinn Féin promised the A5 at the last election and it wasn't delivered. They are promising it at this election and we can see that already it is slipping away. Martin McGuinness threatened in October that he would not agree to a Programme for Government after the election unless work began in 2016.

"The Minister’s equivocation will not fill the people of Tyrone and Derry with confidence. We have been stung before and know better than to trust pre-election pledges."

(CD/MH)