Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister for Infrastructure to detail (i) any assessment her Department has made of the impact on the proposed A29 Cookstown Bypass of the factual position and legal position around (a) emission targets; (b) carbon budgets; and (c) the Climate Action Plan; (ii) when the assessment was carried out; and (iii) the number of times the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs was consulted on this.
Minister for Infrastructure: The A29 Cookstown Bypass will provide a new 4km single carriageway with overtaking lanes in both directions; the upgrading of connections between the Omagh and Dungannon roads; the provision of a combined footway/cycle way along the entire length of the scheme.
As part of the Environmental Impact Assessment, analysis of the effect on climate resulting from the scheme shows an overall reduction in carbon emissions in the long term, having a beneficial impact on climate when compared against no scheme.
As with all projects within the road infrastructure portfolio and in light of the A5 judgement and my subsequent appeal, I am taking this opportunity to consider its potential impact before determining the next steps for this scheme.
ENDS
Your MLA 