AQW 52770/11-16

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 12/01/2016
Answered On Date: 26/01/2016
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Regional Development for her assessment of the problem with air quality, in the absence of a bypass between Dungiven and Drumahoe; and how has this encouraged her to progress the work on the bypass.

Answer:

In its March 2008 Air Quality Action Plan, Limavady Borough Council examined a range of measures which could, in theory, be deployed to impact positively upon air quality within Dungiven whilst, at the same time, ensuring road safety was not compromised. Such measures included traffic calming, traffic light control at junctions, a one way traffic system around the village, the introduction of low emission zones, priority for high occupancy vehicles and the construction of a bypass.

Having considered each of these measures, my officals agreed with Limavady Borough Council that the construction of a bypass was the only practical method to reduce traffic levels in the village and thus, achievement of the Local Air Quality Management objectives, as set out in the Air Quality Regulations.

The proposed A6 Londonderry to Dungiven dual carriageway scheme, which incorporates Dungiven bypass, is well advanced in terms of development. I am shortly to receive a report addressing the recommendations arising from Public Inquiry into the scheme. My officials are also currently reviewing the extent of this scheme which can be built with the funding allocations in the December 2015 Budget Statement. When I consider the report on the Public Inquiry and review the funding allocations I will make a decision on how the scheme should proceed.