QPANI welcomes extra funding for roads

Northern Ireland’s construction materials sector to get a boost from £500 million infrastructure investment

THE Quarry Products Association NI (QPANI) has warmly welcomed the Regional Development Minister’s announcement that, following a review of spending priorities across his Department, he is to bring forward a balanced programme of improvements to the strategic road network over the next four years.

QPANI regional director, Gordon Best, said: ‘The Minister’s announcement that he has secured almost £500 million investment in road infrastructure, balanced across Northern Ireland, is great news for an industry that is facing significant financial challenges at present.

‘This extra funding for road projects across Northern Ireland will secure thousands of jobs in the construction materials sector. This is evidence that the Minister, and indeed the Executive, is committed to putting the economy first, protecting jobs and making Northern Ireland a good place to invest.’

However, adding a word of caution, Mr Best said: ‘If we are to achieve maximum economic benefit from these projects we must ensure that local jobs and local construction materials and services are given priority on all of these schemes.

‘QPANI is now seeking clarification from the Minister regarding the amount of additional funding that will be made available over the next three years for the structural maintenance of our existing roads network.’