‘Decades-long overdue’ Buncrana Road upgrade questioned

There has been a call for “clarity” on what has been described as Derry's “decades-long overdue' Buncrana Road upgrade.

SDLP Infrastructure spokesperson, Mark H Durkan MLA has written to the Department for Infrastructure (DFI) Permanent Secretary, Julie Harrison, regarding the recent decision to pause the Buncrana Road widening scheme.

Mr Durkan said the £85 million project would improve the A2 Road; a key corridor in the North-West which links the city to surrounding areas and County Donegal.

The DfI said it had taken the decision to pause the scheme until the completion of a Regional Transport Scheme (RTS) and the advancement of the Northwest Transport Plan to ensure designs align with climate change obligations.

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Mr Durkan said: ““It is convenient the department decided to bury bad news of this long-awaited scheme on the same day as the A6 opening.

“Questions need to be asked on how this decision was made and by whom. I fully recognise the need to ’future-proof’ major projects with an eye on climate change but the department has been notably scant on detail.

“I would like to know what this future-proofing entails: is the department considering the introduction of bus lanes or cycling infrastructure along a main corridor linking cross border communities?

“I know this news will be disappointing for many and a relief for some but the continued clouds of uncertainty over what will happen and when is more than just a bugbear for all. The uncertainty will potentially impact further investment and development,” he said.

Mr Durkan said some residents in the area had been hearing about this road for more than 50 years.

“They have been kept dangling with tit-bits of information, being assured that the project is coming, meanwhile the department continues to kick development further down the road,” said Mr Durkan.

He continued: “At this point, the A2 upgrade has become little more than a pipe dream, it can’t continue to be used as an excuse for not carrying out essential improvements along the proposed route, for example at the Whitehouse and Woodbrook junctions as well as the installation of lighting infrastructure at Coshquin.

“I am aware there was a public consultation in Burt this week regarding the Bridgend Bypass plans which begs the question, is DfI engaging with counterparts in the South on this project.

“The A2 must not become another missed opportunity in revitalising transport links for the North-West. “