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

  • IRF hosts high-level debate on the Belt & Road Initiative (BRI) at ITF Summit 2019
    August 12, 2019
    HE Mehmet Cahit Turhan, minister of Transport and Infrastructure of Turkey, opened with a keynote address at the session on "The Belt & Road: Bridging the gaps for sustainable transport and growth in EurAsia". This was organised by the International Road Federation (IRF) on 22nd May 2019 at the ITF Summit 2019 in Leipzig. The panel included top representatives from the World Bank, BSEC, AIIB, IATA, Michelin and PwC and offered a deep insight into key topics surrounding the BRI. Organised jointly with th
    Read More
  • UK council plans €64 million highways upgrade
    August 17, 2012
    UK-based Milton Keynes Council is to borrow €64 million (£50 million) for a new road repair programme to tackle the city’s “decaying" roads and pavements. The 1960’s new town, which is located about an hour’s drive north of London, has approved a plan which includes more than €27 million (£21 million) for vital road repair work, €18 million (£14 million) to tackle its ageing bridges and more than €9 million (£7 million) to restore the council’s pavement and footpath network.
    Read More
  • New road reduces Carlisle congestion by 20%
    May 11, 2012
    Carlisle, in north-west England, has seen as 20% reduction in congestion since the opening of the city’s US$284million (£176m) Northern Development Route in February this year. Around 10,000 vehicles a day are using the new road, which is broadly in line with the predictions made by highways engineers when building a case to construct a new route connecting the A595 with the M6 around the western flank of the city. Traffic counters positioned on the new road show an average of 9,583 vehicles a day along the
    Read More
  • Building an airport for St Helena
    August 29, 2013
    The remote South Atlantic island of Saint Helena will shortly benefit from the construction of a new airport as well as access roads and supporting infrastructure. This is the biggest construction project in the history of the island, which lies nearly 2,000km off the coast of Africa. The airport is expected to boost economic development for the island’s 4,000 residents with an estimated 20,000 people a year forecasted to visit this highly remote, 122km2 equatorial volcanic outcrop. At present the islan
    Read More

Highlighted Content