Infrastructure Minister Chris Hazzard visited Mid Ulster today for discussions on key infrastructure projects in the area.
The Minister began his day with a visit to McDon Peat Suppliers Ltd and Ardboe Coldstores, before going on to address Mid Ulster Council.
Speaking during his visit to the area, Minister Hazzard said:
“I’m delighted to be in Mid Ulster today to meet with local businesses and hear firsthand the issues concerning them. Since I took up the post I have been clear about my determination to address the long standing infrastructure deficit, particularly west of the Bann.
“Having in place good infrastructure can unlock economic potential and open up opportunities for people across the north. Meeting McDon Peat Suppliers and Ardboe Coldstores today reinforced the need to be forward thinking in our approach to infrastructure provision so that we can support businesses and local communities now and also in the years ahead.
“The newly opened Magherafelt bypass is already benefiting local people and I look forward to seeing further progress on the A5 project in the coming months. As part of October monitoring I secured funding to allow me to advance preparatory development on the Cookstown bypass. A specimen design will now be prepared facilitating the production of draft Statutory Orders for the project and the development of an Environmental Statement. These will then be published for public consultation.
“Just this week I announced that 400 stretches of roads in rural communities across the north have been upgraded and resurfaced. This demonstrates actual delivery on the ground for rural communities across the region and 28 improvements have already been completed in the Mid Ulster area. Infrastructure can connect people and opportunities - this in turn will enhance the north as a place where people want to live and work, to visit and invest. This is a key outcome in the Programme for Government and one my Executive colleagues and I are determined to deliver.”
Notes to editors:
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