NW to benefit from 3,000 jobs boost
THE £492m funding boost that includes money for the Londonderry to Aughnacloy road and Altnagelvin Hospital will help create or safeguard 3,000 jobs over the next four years, according to Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness.
He said the creation of new construction jobs will generate £1.6billion in additional spending for the local economy.
Addressing the Stormont Assembly he stated: “We are very pleased that, last week, the Executive agreed a £492 million plan for strategic investment in road infrastructure, including improvements to the A5.
“Over the next four years, Roads Service can bring forward significant elements of the A5 dual carriageway projects, the sections between Derry and Strabane and Omagh and Ballygawley, along with the A8 Belfast to Larne project and a scheme to dual the A2 Shore Road at Greenisland.
“Last week’s Executive agreement also includes significant upgrades, totalling £90 million, to our healthcare infrastructure in Belfast, Derry and Omagh.
“Those schemes will create or safeguard more than 3,000 jobs over the next four years. The generation of a substantial number of construction jobs for the successful contractors and subcontractors will have an immediate impact, and we will all be able to see that.
“That significant investment will generate an estimated £1·6 billion in additional spending – a major economic boost that will assist the construction sector in a particularly hard time for the industry.”
He said the spending will also boost the services and retail sectors and the £492 roll-out was “a visible manifestation of the Executive working collectively to deliver the commitment of stimulating the economy.”
The A5 will develop international trading opportunities, attract inward investment, and be a major boost for the North West.
“In particular, engineering and manufacturing clusters in the west will gain easier access to the port of Belfast. Benefits will also be generated by improving transport links with Derry, specifically opening up Strabane’s possibilities, enabling much needed economic development and spin-off jobs locally,” said Mr McGuinness.
Source: londonderrysentinel.co.uk
