The Ulster Unionist Party’s Mid-Ulster representative Sandra Overend MLA has hailed as great news, the announcement that £40 million of funding has been secured for the Magherafelt bypass project.

Mrs Overend, who is the Economy Spokesperson for the Ulster Unionist Party, said;

 “I would like to commend my Ulster Unionist colleague, the Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy, for securing the funding for the long-awaited Magherafelt bypass project.

‘I am particularly pleased that Danny has won the argument in the Executive to re-profile existing capital to move forward with the project.

‘It should also not go un-noticed that only two weeks ago in the Assembly the DUP and Sinn Fein voted against prioritising the Magherafelt bypass for capital –yet this week it has emerged as the capital priority for 2014/15.

The £40 million cost of the scheme will represent a significant investment in the local economy, particularly the hard-pressed construction industry which will benefit.      

‘This is a development that has long been on the table, and one that I have lobbied the Minister on for a considerable time. My party colleague, Roads Minister Danny Kennedy MLA, is also committed to this scheme, and has been calling on his Executive colleague to find the funding for it.

‘I have spoken to countless constituents, commuters, customers and local business owners, all who have underlined the pressing need for this project. The bottlenecks that build up in Magherafelt not only delay the through-traffic, but they also deter business from the town centre. The local benefits of improved journey times, reduced congestion and the improved quality of life for people in Magherafelt will be extremely welcome.

Mrs Overend continued,

‘Recently I again met with members of Magherafelt Chamber of Commerce who were lobbying in support of the bypass. They clearly outlined research that has been undertaken to show that traffic congestion in the town centre would reduce by 25% and that congestion on the A31 road from Castledawson roundabout would be reduced by 35%.

‘Progressing roads infrastructure projects like this can make a real, positive difference to the economy. We get the short-term benefits of solid employment for the construction industry and the longer-term benefit of a reliable infrastructure, a significant economic driver and I look forward to the project getting underway.”