Infrastructure Minister, John O'Dowd, has outlined the next steps for the A29 Cookstown Bypass scheme as the draft Statutory Orders and the Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) is set to be published in April.

Minister O'Dowd said the Bypass will "reduce traffic congestion within Cookstown town centre, reduce journey travel times along the A29 link corridor, improve road safety and enhance the town centre environment". Alongside these benefits the scheme will offer opportunities to improve and reshape Cookstown town centre to encourage sustainable travel choices.

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In a statement Minister O'Dowd said:

"To help keep the local community informed about progress with the scheme, my Department is holding a public information event at The Burnavon on Tuesday 16 April. This will provide an opportunity to engage with Departmental staff and the engineering consultants who can provide detail on work to date and the next steps in progressing the scheme.

"The scheme is listed in the planned Mid South West Growth deal and my Department will continue to work closely with Council partners on this. I know this project has been long awaited and I am determined as Minister to see it progress through the statutory processes as quickly as possible."

The EIAR and draft Statutory Orders will be published week commencing 1 April 2024 on the Department's website.

A public information day will be held on 16 April 2024 from 10.00am to 10.00pm at The Burnavon, Burn Road Cookstown.