Ulster Unionist Assembly member for Fermanagh & South Tyrone, Tom Elliott has expressed "serious concerns" about the wisdom of continuing with an £800m spend on a new A5 dual carriageway.

Mr Elliot has claimed an upgrade of the A5 would be sufficient, while also arguing that the decision to build a new dual-carriageway is even more difficult to accept following an announcement by Transport Minister Conor Murphy that the Dungannon bypass is now not a priority.

"Ulster Unionist Councillors from Dungannon recently met the Minister of Regional Development, Conor Murphy and pressed him on the provision of a Dungannon Town Bypass and Distributor Road which is vital for the future regeneration and economic prospect of the town," he said.

"We were informed that Roads Service is currently implementing the Investment Delivery Plan for roads 2018 and this plan did not include a bypass road for Dungannon as it was not considered to be sufficiently high priority when compared to other competing road improvement schemes. This in reality means that with dwindling budgets for road in the future that this road may never be built."

He continued: "The folly of embarking on an £800m on the A5 means that many towns like Dungannon, Cookstown & Enniskillen may never see the necessary investment that would improve traffic flow and encourage shoppers and businesses for many years. The money saved by upgrading the existing A5 could be much better spent on Bypass roads rather than a motorway.

"Whilst there is a promise for the money from ROI I have been informed that this is not ready and waiting and there is a possibility that this costly process is commenced and it may never be completed."

(NS/GK)