Ulster Unionist MLA Robin Swann has welcomed news carried in local North Antrim papers that funding for the Glarryford-Drones Road section of the A26 has been approved by the Minister of Finance.
The North Antrim representative said:
"This week’s local press has carried a report that local MP Ian Paisley Jnr has written to the Finance Minister asking for funds for this important road upgrade. It was also noted that "reliable Government sources" had indicated to the paper that the finance had been secured.
I welcome the fact that the local MP has a greater understanding of how the Executive works than his three North Antrim DUP colleagues who as yet have failed to accept that the decision on financing the road rests with Simon Hamilton who holds the purse strings, and any late influence that he has brought is to be welcomed.
However I should point out that since the fact that funding is available for the scheme has not yet been shared with the Minister for Regional Development, work on the scheme is unable to commence. Could I therefore impress upon the Finance Minister the importance of communicating decisions to the relevant Minster at the same time as "reliable Government sources" are briefing the press.