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

  • Bechtel and Enka complete further Kosovan motorway stretch
    July 13, 2012
    Bechtel and its joint venture partner, Enka, have completed a further 4.5km of the Kosovo motorway. The new section, which takes the total completed by Bechtel and Enka to 42.5km, opened on Friday 13 July and connects with the stretch of motorway delivered in November 2011 going from Morinë at the border with Albania to Suhareka. The growing Kosovo motorway now extends to the Dule interchange in Northern Kosovo. The latest stretch was built in less than a year, ahead of schedule and within budget.
    Read More
  • The radically changing face of UK highways management
    May 14, 2014
    The British Government policy paper ‘Action for Roads: A network for the 21st century’ sets out radical change to the strategic way roads are funded and managed – including plans to turn the Highways Agency into a Government-owned company and a pledge to invest over €33.4 billion (£28 billion) in roads maintenance between 2015 and 2020. Jenny Moten, Highways Agency divisional director for Network Services, gave a keynote presentation on the new approach to strategic highways management during the Road Safet
    Read More
  • Pakistan’s transport projects are being planned
    April 18, 2017
    Pakistan is planning a massive investment in transport development projects. The country has set a budget of US$1 billion for vital road projects, which have gained approval from Pakistan’s federal Government. The three road infrastructure projects form part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). These include a $183 million road link stretching 110km between Basima and Khuzdar, a 210km dual carriageway between Yarik and Zhob costing $725.7 million and a $76.3 million road stretching 280km from Rai
    Read More
  • A key section of highway is now open in Romania
    July 26, 2012
    In Romania the northern section of the bypass around the city of Constanta is open to traffic. The bypass forms part of the Pan-European Road Corridor IV and work on this section was financed by the European Bank for reconstruction and Development (EBRD). The southern stretch of the 23km bypass was completed in 2011. Now it is complete, the bypass will carry heavy port traffic away from Constanta. It will also provide a free-flowing route for tourist traffic from Romanian capital Bucharest and the north of
    Read More

Highlighted Content