Chris Hazzard MP Says Work Must Start Now On Phase Two Of The South Down A1 Road
Sinn Féin South Down MP Chris Hazzard has told the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) that it must “urgently” commence Phase Two of the A1 Junctions Improvement Scheme as soon as possible.
Corresponding with the DfI Permanent Secretary Julie Harrison this week, the South Down MP believes the scheme is one of the most important road safety projects being advanced by the Department and must not be allowed to sit on a shelf in the absence of Stormont.
The A1 runs past Dromore and Banbridge and Loughbrickland on to Newry where it links with the NI at the border and is a ket road artery linking Belfast to Dublin.
Mr Hazzard said: “The A1 Junctions Phase 2 Road Improvement Scheme is one the most important road safety schemes being advanced by DfI anywhere in the North.
“Our local community cannot wait any longer for action… we must act now to save lives and protect families from further heartbreak.
“Following the Public Inquiry in March 2020, and subsequent announcement from the then DfI minister that it would proceed, there has been an expectation on the ground locally that this scheme would have commenced by now.
“Addressing urgent safety issues along the A1, this scheme will be a significant investment in one of the most strategically important roads in the north of Ireland.
“The road carries nearly 50,000 vehicles per day; many of whom are commuting to and from the wider South Down and Newry area.
“So this scheme is vitally important not just for strategic traffic along the Dublin to Belfast corridor, but for the local community who have faced heartbreak and tragedy.
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