A6 improvements – Ridgeway Training – CPC Transport Manager

The announcement that work will start this year on making improvements to the A6 between Belfast and Londonderry is good news for transport operators and will benefit the wider economy, according to the Freight Transport Association, which stated that the upgrading of the route had been a primary objective for several years.

On Sunday Michelle McIlveen, Transport Minister, announced that work will start later this year, possibly as early as April, on making the A6 a dual-carriageway between Randalstown and Castledawson. The build will take up to 24 months at a cost of £120-£140 million.

Seamus Leheny, FTA’s Policy & Membership Manager for Northern Ireland, had this to say about the improvements:

“We have lobbied for improvements to this route for a long time so we are delighted to see them finally happen. The A6 has been a constant source of frustration for our members in Northern Ireland due to the long delays many of them suffer when transporting goods on this road. An improved and more efficient A6 will not only reduce costs but will open up the north west region for investment, as the ability to get goods to market efficiently and cheaply is a key criteria in attracting such investment and growth.”

Ridgeway Training – CPC Transport Manager

The improvements will also bring road safety benefits as currently, most of the A6 is single-carriageway, with HGVs over 7.5 tonnes restricted to a maximum speed of 40mph while cars are able to travel at 60mph. This not only leads to long tailbacks but also dangerous overtaking manoeuvres by some drivers. The new dual-carriageway will allow for safer overtaking.

Seamus Leheny concluded “We will continue to lobby for further improvements to the A6, with particular emphasis on bringing forward plans for the development of a dual carriageway by-pass of Dungiven, which already suffers from heavy traffic and vehicle pollution.”