|
|
Culdaff haulier slates A5 decision
18.11.11
by Eamonn MacDermott, Inishowen Independent
A CULDAFF-based road haulier has claimed that the
Government’s decision to remove the €400 million
funding for the upgrade of the A5 road between Derry
and Aughnacloy will have disastrous consequences for
Inishowen in particular and Donegal in general.
George Mills who is on the management committee of
the Irish Road Haulage Association, said the
Government took ‘the easy option’ in shelving the
funding.
“This decision undoubtedly will go against Inishowen
and Donegal. If that road had been built it would
have put us on an equal footing. But as it is we are
still 200 kilometres from a motorway," said Mr
Mills.
“Before there was a motorway network we were fairly
equal on the basis that we were and still are two
hours from a port. But how can you attract business
to Donegal when all investors are interested in is
connectivity and access when you can’t guarantee
them an adequate road network.” |
 |
|
Culdaff haulier, George Mills. |
Mr Mills added: “As it
stands the A5 is currently a farm track. Now the
farmers have as much right to be on it as anyone,
but consider a businessman thinking of locating in
Donegal and coming up from Dublin stuck behind a
slurry truck from Omagh to Strabane.
“It seems to me that Donegal is looked upon as a
liability and the only thing that comes in to us are
the dole cheques and the only thing that goes out
are the emigrants." The businessman said hauliers
are being forced to emigrate.
“I have friends who are hauliers and they are
currently working in construction in Poland. I know
of others who have had to go to London to find work.
“If the A5 had gone ahead then those hauliers would
have been working here and they would have been
spending their money in Donegal not in London or
Poland.”
He said the decision would also impact adversely on
tourism. |
|
