Leading Northern Ireland haulier Willie Oliver is calling for work on the A26 upgrade to start as soon as possible after regional development minister Conor Murphy announced a £52m investment to turn the section of the road from Ballymena to Ballymoney into a dual carriageway.
Oliver, former chairman of the Road Haulage Association and the boss of Oliver's
Transport in Coleraine, wants the work to start earlier that its current date of 2013.
"The road is a poor-quality single carriageway and is heavily congested at peak times. Commuter traffic leads to extended journey times and as a result it is classed as an accident blackspot," he explains.
"This results in frequent closures of the route for police investigations with detours on roads even more unsuitable for HGV traffic."
Tom Wilson, Freight Transport Association regional policy manager for Northern Ireland, says the upgrade will help the environment, improve road safety and aid the economy.
He adds: "The Northern Ireland assembly is seeking inward investment, so it's important that potential investors will see efficient infrastructure and good transport links.
"A growing economy requires a roads network
up to the job and the ever-increasing delays on this route, which carries 18,000 vehicles per day, have not been acceptable."
Phil Flanders, RHA director for Northern Ireland and Scotland, says: "The RHA welcomes the investment, which can only help reduce the amount of accidents and help hauliers go about their business in a more sensible manner."
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