The A5 road upgrade project has stalled again after the government redirected €27 million of funding to plug the overspend on the National Children’s hospital.

The £150 million scheme aims to create a new 85km road running from New Buildings, via Strabane, Newtownstewart, Omagh and Ballygawley and terminating near the border at Aughnacloy.

SDLP MLA Daniel McCrossan expressed serious concern over the funding deferral, blaming the deadlock at Stormont for the lack of progress.

He said: "The A5 Scheme is vitally important for the North West and West of this province. It will save countless lives while increasing the economic situation for businesses and individuals alike.

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"The implications of having no Stormont in place is the reason why this funding has been withheld. The Irish Government can see the ridiculousness of the two problem parties who are holding us back. The failure of Sinn Féin and the DUP to end their self-imposed standoff is hurting our communities, north and south, and it needs to end.

"This money was originally cut from £400 million to £75 million for the scheme. Now it is being withheld. Dublin cannot continue to abandon the people of the North and that is the message I will be giving to them."

A Sinn Féin MP has also called for a reversal of the decision.

Orfhlaith Begley commented: "I would urge the Irish government to reverse this decision and to fulfil its agreement to provide funding for the A5. 

"I, along with my Sinn Fein colleagues will continue to lobby the Irish government to ensure the A5 upgrade is delivered."

Despite the news, senior Department officials are confident construction work will begin on the A5 scheme this autumn.

(CM/JG)