EAST Londonderry MLA Claire Sugden has welcome a £2.6m Active Travel Scheme to be created between Ballykelly and Greysteel, but reiterated the need for a bypass for Ballykelly.

Work on the scheme has begun today (September 30) and will run for 33 weeks.

“This scheme will link the two towns, enabling cyclists, walkers and other users such as those with prams or who use wheelchairs, to travel safely between them,” Ms Sugden said.

“Traffic on this route can be extremely busy as it is the main link between Coleraine, Limavady and Londonderry, so will provide an important element of safety for those using these more active forms of transport.

“It is the level of this traffic – and the current road infrastructure – that does, however, underline the real and growing need for a bypass for Ballykelly. It often creates huge traffic jams in the town, with the impact of slower commuting times, increased pollution and frustration for locals who want to nip to the shops, do the school run or get to work.

“The need for a bypass around the village has been talked about for nearly 20 years, but this has been consistently paused because of budget constraints.

“Even the preferred route of this bypass was identified more than 10 years ago. That scheme went no further, but the need has since grown for commuters and residents of Ballykelly.

“I have had regular correspondence with various Ministers for Infrastructure over the years, and despite receiving a commitment from them to look again at Ballykelly within the scope of their long-term plans, confidence that we will see imminent movement on this project is lacking.

“This project really matters to people. I hope this bypass will soon be included in future plans for the A2, along with a commitment to seeing it happen in a timely way.”