Residents frustrated by A6 project delays

MY grandad once told me that“plans were in place to extend the M2 to Toome and beyond so delays will soon be a thing of the past”. That was just over 40 years ago.

Thankfully, after numerous false starts over the past decades, work on a dual carriage way is now underway, but it has been delayed by a legal challenge by environmentalist Chris Murphy, which has delayed work and no doubt cost the taxpayer thousands of pounds.

He claims to have large support from the people of Mid-Ulster.

It’s reported that Murphy said: “We have a shared vision to develop the economy of Mid-Ulster through businesses that rely on the sustainable development of the unique cultural and natural heritage of Lo ugh Beg .” What does that even mean in reality?

I’m sure Seamus Heaney’s poetry legacy will survive the building of a dual carriage way.

The cultural elite will consider me a philistine, but I can live with that.

As a lifelong resident of Mid-Ulster I can assure Murphy that there is no shortage of wetlands that the swans can relocate to. When the construction starts I’ m sure they are intelligent enough to fly off to pastures new.

Murphy also said last week, on television, that his legal challenge has taken up a year of his life.

Well, I know numerous, decent, hard-working people, who have spent hundreds of hours of misery stuck in traffic jams on the A6.

I suggest that Murphy and his band of friends stand along the edge of the A 6 any evening around 5pm and see what support they have. Maybe they could put their case to the motorists when the traffic inevitably grinds to a halt.

Finally, if the A6 dualling project does get completed, it will be no thanks to the politicians of this country who for decades have made empty election promises aboutthescheme.

However, I’ve no doubt that on opening day, politicians from all sides, bedecked in orange (or maybe green) safety vests and helmets, will be lining up to cut ribbons and take ill-deserved credit.

MARK HAMILTON Co Tyrone