A5 construction will see the employment of local workers

Contractors appointed to start work later this year on part of the A5 upgrade in Tyrone have pledged to use local workers and materials where possible, and ensure that a significant proportion of the money spent will go back into the local economy.
Local MP Pat Doherty is welcoming the commitment, and hopes to receive similar assurances from other contractors.
Pat Doherty says when the contracts were awarded for the construction of the three sections of the A5 in December 2009, special ‘social clauses’ were included to ensure the local economy would benefit substantially during the construction phase.
Now, he says, he has received written confirmation from Farrans and Graham that they will source equipment, materials, sub-contractors and construction workers locally.
Mr Doherty says he would like a similar commitment from the contractors appointed for the construction of the Newbuildings-Strabane section of the road.
However, he says, the major task now is to ensure that the entire planned route of the dual carriageway is completed in the shortest possible time frame. Mr Doherty says he and his party colleagues will be seeking to ensure that the Irish government to fulfil its commitments and responsibilities towards the project as quickly as possible.