Almost £19 million has been invested in road projects in the Mid-Ulster Council area in the last year, the Infrastructure Minister has confirmed.

A total of £18.8m has been put into road schemes which are ongoing throughout the area.

Minister Chris Hazzard said: "Work continues on the £35 million A31 Magherafelt Bypass and the scheme is on target to open later this year. Completion of this project will provide significant benefits not only to through traffic but also to the many residents and businesses within Magherafelt.

"Work on the A6 Randalstown to Castledawson dualling project continues to progress with the intention that the scheme will commence in autumn 2016 and completion in 2020.

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"The A5 Western Transport Corridor will also provide benefit to the Mid Ulster area. In February 2016, a new Environmental Statement and draft Orders were published for the project. A Public Inquiry has been programmed for autumn 2016 and, subject to the successful completion of all the statutory procedures, it is hoped that construction can commence in late 2017 on Phase 1A (between New Buildings and north of Strabane) in line with the ‘Fresh Start’ Agreement. However I am currently looking at options to maximise delivery of the A5 project within the current mandate."

Sinn Féin MLA Ian Milne welcomed the announcement.

He said: "This investment will bring significant benefits to everyone in the Mid-Ulster area for decades to come.

"This investment added to the £35 million A31 Magherafelt Bypass scheme which is on target to open later this year, the A6 Randalstown to Castledawson dualling project which is on target to commence in autumn with completion scheduled for 2020 and the A5 Western Transport Corridor will also provide benefit to the Mid-Ulster area.

"Completion of these projects coupled with this investment will provide significant benefits not only to through traffic but also to the many residents and businesses within the Mid-Ulster area."

(CD)