FTA delighted with €500million plus boost to NI transport infrastructure

An imminent €500million plus cash injection into Northern Ireland transport infrastructure will lead to lower fuel costs, quicker journey times and greater overseas investment, according to the Freight Transport Association (FTA).
March 15, 2012 Read time: 2 mins
RSSAn imminent €500million plus cash injection into Northern Ireland transport infrastructure will lead to lower fuel costs, quicker journey times and greater overseas investment, according to the 3934 Freight Transport Association (FTA). Among Government funded investment will be €125.2million for the A8 from Larne to Belfast. The FTA has been a vocal supporter of long-time plans to dual the congested 14km stretch of single carriageway, which is one of Northern Ireland’s most vital trade routes. Tom Wilson, FTA’s head of policy for Northern Ireland, said: “The A8 is a strategically significant trade route, but one which has lacked capacity to cope with the sheer volume of lorries relying on this route to reach Larne Port. "It is an absolutely essential link in our supply chain between businesses on the island of Ireland and large freight hubs in northern England and Scotland. This funding will go a long way to improve Ireland's connectivity and finally make the A8 fit for purpose." The A8 has been the unfortunate setting for many fatal road traffic accidents owing to the lack of safe overtaking opportunities along it. "Typically, slower-moving agricultural vehicles do cause long tailbacks on this road and motorists do take risks when overtaking tractors, combine harvesters and the like," said Wilson. "Dualling will reduce instances of risky overtaking." This week’s announcement by Sammy Wilson, Minister for Finance, will also see €393.5million spent on upgrading the A5, which links the north west of Northern Ireland to Eire. During his unveiling of the transport infrastructure investment plan, Wilson said: "Better roads and infrastructure will not only encourage investment from overseas and overall connectivity, but also mean lower fuel costs and more reliable journey times, giving hauliers, local businesses and motorists alike a welcome boost."

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Key Russian road construction complete
    December 5, 2016
    Construction work on the Central Section of Russia’s Western High-Speed Diameter (WHSD) in St Petersburg is complete, with some small detail work now being finished off. The WHSD connects the Southern, Central and Northern sections of St Petersburg and will open to traffic at the end of December. VTB Capital was a key participant in funding the construction of the Central Section and is a major shareholder in the consortium that will operate the entire WHSD route.
    Read More
  • Delays to New Jersey transport upgrades to prove expensive
    July 13, 2016
    A report by the American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) reveals that a week-long shutdown of New Jersey transportation improvement projects will prove expensive.
    Read More
  • New road plans for Ireland
    July 25, 2012
    A stimulus package worth over €2 billion is being planned by the Irish Government. This will be used to fund infrastructure projects in the country, including major roads in Wexford and Galway. The package comprises funds from the European Investment Bank (EIB), the National Pensions Reserve Fund (NPRF) and the sale of State assets as well as from the public-private partnerships (PPPs). The N11/25 Enniscorthy and New Ross bypasses, and the N17/N18 Gort to Tuam scheme are set to gain also from funding from P
    Read More
  • Rural roads important to global development
    April 12, 2012
    Maryvonne Plessis-Fraissard highlights that the key importance of rural roads in the context of global development is only now being fully recognised, is not receiving enough attention and is facing vital new challenges Rural roads have only relatively recently received attention in development research. The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, or World Bank, moved away from the World War II reconstruction mandate during the early 1960s to start, and address, the "Third World" developme
    Read More

Highlighted Content