A6 Due For an Upgrade – Ridgeway – CPC London

Upgrading one of the most used roads, the A6, between L’Derry and Belfast could potentially save goods vehicle operators around £70 for each journey by a 44-tonne articulated vehicle, this clearly shows the potential economic benefits of improving the road. The upgrade is overdue and is considered one of the biggest problems faced by drivers, thanks to the congestion and long delays on a key strategic trade route.

Ridgeway Training – CPC London

Seamus Leheny, Policy Manager for the Freight Transport Association in Northern Ireland, outlined these problems in a letter to six recently elected Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) who represent the Foyle constituency and therefore now sit in the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Whilst recognising that Chris Hazzard, the new Infrastructure Minister, has emphasised his commitment to the delivery of improvements to the A6, the Freight Transport Association (FTA) are anxious to make sure that the politicians in the Foyle constituency work together to ensure that the upgrade is delivered during this term of government.

Ridgeway Training – CPC London

Mr Leheny stated: “The majority of goods going to and from L’Derry and the wider north west transit via the A6. This is either because they originate from the numerous distribution centres in the Greater Belfast area or are exports and imports being shipped via Belfast and Larne ports.

He continued, saying: “An improved A6 will not only assist businesses in the north-west to send and receive goods faster and cheaper, but it will also help attract inward investment as the ability to transport goods to market efficiently is a key criterion for any company considering investing in a new location.”

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Before finally adding, “Another significant benefit of upgrading the A6 would be road safety. The speed limit for HGVs on a single carriageway in Northern Ireland is 40mph, compared with that for a car which is 60mph. Because a significant proportion of the A6 is currently single carriageway, this often leads to HGVs creating long queues of traffic, leading some car drivers to make dangerous overtaking manoeuvres. Additional dual carriageway on the A6 would create safer overtaking opportunities for cars and help make traffic speed more consistent.”

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