West Tyrone MP Orfhlaith Begley has called on the Irish government to provide more funding for the troubled A5 Western Transport Corridor project.
The project was listed as a strategic priority for the Dublin government as it released its National Development Plan on Monday, despite previously withdrawing hundreds of millions of pounds from the project.
The Irish government’s current funding commitment to the A5 sits at £75m, but Ms Begley said that should be uplifted, despite the fact work has yet to begin on the project after a series of legal challenges has halted its progress.
The project was first proposed 14 years ago, and plans to link Derry and Aughnacloy and improve connections in the North West.
“The recognition of the A5 road upgrade as a strategic investment priority in the latest National Development Plan, further reaffirms the importance of this vital piece of infrastructure in terms of improving connectivity on an all-island basis," the Sinn Fein MP said.
"I have previously secured commitments from Irish Ministers that their government will 'not be found wanting' in terms of funding. However, progressing the A5 is very much dependent on the Irish government uplifting their current contribution of £75m in line with their original commitment to co-fund this project.
“Unfortunately, the delivery of the A5 has been delayed by repeated legal challenges and a further public inquiry which will take place early next year.
“These obstacles have been deeply frustrating for people living in the north west who have suffered from an infrastructure deficit for decades."
Costs for the project have now exceeded £80million with work yet to begin, according to figures from the Department for Infrastructure.
More than £53million of that money has been spent on consultant fees, with DfI engaging London-based firm WSP UK to lead the project.
The scheme has been delayed since it was first proposed in 2007, with funding withdrawal from the Irish government as well as a series of legal challenges from a group known as the Alternative A5 Alliance.
