Infrastructure Minister, John O'Dowd has revealed that the A6 Dungiven to Drumahoe Scheme has delivered environmental and economical benefits as well as reducing journey times.

The Minister spoke at an event which was held to mark the first anniversary of the new road, to celebrate its official opening and to thank all those involved in delivering the scheme.

In the first year, approximately 5.3 million journeys were completed on the A6 Dungiven to Drumahoe scheme. When combined with the Randalstown to Castledawson scheme there is an overall saving of over 20 minutes along the A6. By transferring the traffic from Dungiven centre to the new bypass, the air quality for those living and working in the area has improved.

More than 1.2 million trees have been planted on the A6 road which includes almost 508,000 trees on the Randalstown to Castledawson dualling scheme and 760,000 trees on the Dungiven to Drumahoe scheme.

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Due to both schemes, three new park and rides are also available with approximately 500 spaces, which are now operational at Drumderg (Toome), Drumahoe and at Claudy.

Minister O'Dowd said:

"Major road schemes are an important part of the work that is delivered by my Department as we seek to reduce journey times, increase reliability and improve road safety. For far too long there was significant regional imbalance in our roads infrastructure - but that tide is now changing. While there is more for us to do, there is no doubt that the investment of over £450million by my Department in two separate schemes on the A6 has been a game changer in improving connectivity and providing huge benefits for road users, businesses and local communities.

"The Dungiven bypass, which has been campaigned for, for many years, now diverts most of the traffic out of the village. The majority of the traffic using the A6 is strategic traffic, which would not have necessarily stopped in Dungiven, prior to the Bypass opening, so wouldn’t have been contributing to the local community. However now with the Bypass open, Dungiven itself is a lot quieter, with anyone wishing to stop to use local businesses finding it a lot easier to do so.

"In the past Dungiven has had some of the worst Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) readings in Western Europe. Standards call for average annual Nitrogen Dioxide readings to be under 40 microgrammes per cubic metre and Dungiven had breached this average several times in the past. Last year, since the Bypass of Dungiven was opened, the lowest average Nitrogen Dioxide readings were recorded of 22 microgrammes per cubic metre, with the local community benefiting from this improved air quality and reduced congestion within the village."