Fresh calls for an urgent upgrade of the A5/N2 dual carriageway have been made after a fatal crash in Aughnacloy claimed the lives of Dan McKane, his sister Christine, and their aunt Julia McSorley this day last week.
Last month it emerged that €2.5m in funding for the N2 Clontibret to the Border scheme was inaccessible because EU funding needed to be secured first. And, this morning, Senator Niall Blaney, Fianna Fail's spokesperson on Northern Ireland called on the UK's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to provide emergency funding for the upgrade of the A5 in Co Tyrone.
In a written letter to the British Prime Minister, Senator Blaney addressed the loss of the three lives on the road last weekend - the third trio of deaths in just 16 months. Speaking to Northern Sound, Senator Blaney said "enough is enough" and highlighted how the loss of 47 lives on the route was 47 lives to many.
"This route is grossly outdated and with many treacherous black spots which combined, is holding back the development of the whole Northwest region. The failed political efforts must be acknowledged and Stormont has failed to deliver on this project.
"Here we are 16 years on [from the first announcement] and still no conclusion to the project. We cannot afford any more deaths on this route or any more pain and suffering of families and communities. I am imploring the UK Government to act and grant planning permission for the A5 project and to give clearance to commence construction immediately," he added.
