A8 Campaigner Ken Robinson says dualling of A8 announced by North-South Ministerial Council will help Larne compete with new All-Ireland Port
Ken Robinson MLA, Ulster Unionist Assembly Member for East Antrim, has welcomed the news announced at the North-South Ministerial Council meeting in Armagh today that the A8 would become a dual carriageway along its entire length from Belfast to Larne.
“As someone who has campaigned for the A8 to be dualled over its entire length for the past nine years, this is very welcome news. Sections of the A8 have been dualled over the past few years after pressure from campaigners like myself but now that this is to be done comprehensively from Belfast to Larne, that will make a real difference. This shows that there are tangible benefits from running our own affairs rather than being badly governed under direct rule.”
“Larne needs this to help it compete in the future, especially with the new threat posed by the planned new all-Ireland Port at Bremore between Drogheda and Dublin. This new road must become a part of the strategy to help the Northern Ports survive.”
“Today’s news also means that action is being taken to complete trans-european routes to a minimum standard which equates to elsewhere in Europe. It must be emphasised that this is a minimum requirement to keep the port of Larne viable in the long term.”