One of Northern Ireland's busiest freight 'gateways' has had a boost.

The importance of the Port of Larne to the economy was highlighted during a recent visit by NI Regional Development Minister, Conor Murphy.

Making his first tour of the ferry port, Mr Murphy met with senior port management and saw roll on-roll off operations in progress.

While Minister Murphy confirmed that he has met his counterpart in the Scottish government to underline the importance of continuing improvements to the A75 and A77 roads serving the Loch Ryan ferry ports at the other side, he gave a commitment to delivering the project to complete the dual carriageway on the A8 road to Belfast at the earliest possible date.

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Port of Larne Managing Director Keith Millar said he was encouraged by the Minister's visit.

"Both the Northern Ireland Minister and Scottish Ministers recognise how vital the ferry link through Loch Ryan is to our economies.

"Mr Murphy is clearly supportive of the need for further road improvements on the Scottish side of the routes to get maximum benefit of the spend on Northern Ireland's infrastructure," he said, noting that, in 2008 to date, around half of the tourist vehicles travelling between NI and Scotland have used Larne.

Mr Millar said they discussed a range of port and transport related issues, with the Minister again reaffirming that the Belfast to Larne road would be expanded.

"We recognise that there are planning and other processes to go through," said Keith Millar, "but there is no doubt that the Minister is determined that this project goes ahead with all possible speed."

"With the ongoing works to both the Westlink and the M2 between Sandyknowes and Greencastle, Larne's connections to the road network across the island of Ireland continue to improve.

"Completion of the A8 dualling will bring the Irish Eastern Seaboard Key Transport Corridor up to the standard deserving of Trans European route status."

See: £2.3m For Larne Roads

(BMcC)