Armagh’s long-awaited link roads and – and the reinstatement of the railway line between the city and Portadown – have been raised during high-powered talks at Stormont.
And Newry and Armagh MLA Cathal Boylan has pressed home how important they are for the future success of Armagh as a whole.
Planned provision for the north and west and east link road projects in Armagh were identified back in the 1990s.
But it is a process which has stalled time and time again. Preferred options are still being looked at.
However, the main stumbling block has always been cash.
This week, the Sinn Fein MLA confirmed he had spoken to the Department for Infrastructure’s director of major projects and procurement.
And afterwards he said he had argued that long-awaited local projects – such as the link roads and rail line – “must be part of the transport plan” being drawn up for future infrastructure commitments in Northern Ireland.
Said Mr Boylan: “Anyone who takes a trip into Armagh city is familiar with the unacceptable levels of congestion.
“This is in part due to the lack of proper infrastructure in the area.
“At the Committee I stressed to the director of major projects and procurement the importance of getting on with projects that have been eagerly anticipated for years now.
“This includes the Armagh link roads, as well as progressing the campaign to restore the rail line from Portadown into Armagh.
“People in Armagh have been waiting a long time for proper infrastructure for the local area that would tackle the harmful congestion the city suffers from.
“Allowing for increased connectivity would be a game changer for Armagh and projects that can play a big role in doing so need to be included in our transport strategy and I will continue to raise this critical issue.”
