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136 
in Northern Ireland
Page 15
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By Christopher Walton
THE FREIGHT Transport Association (FTA) has called for the Northern Ireland Assembly to -select first gear and get people moving" in light of a LIOm investment in road infrastructure across the region.
Before Christmas, finance minister Nigel Dodds unveiled to the Northern Ireland Assembly a 170m package to revive the area's economy This includes LI0m assigned to road maintenance and other construction projects.
Tom Wilson, FTA manager for campaigns in Northern Ireland, tells CM: "A lot of our members are involved in the construction industry, from quarries to new builds. We welcome this news, which hopefully will kick-start the economy.
"A lot of drivers have been laid off over the past six months, and this will get them back into employment."
However, Wilson has called for the Assembly to deliver "visual evidence" to back up Dodds' statements by way of contracts for Northern Ireland hauliers He also believes there is a large backlog of maintenance for the existing road network that needs to be addressed.
The investment does not cover major road-dualling projects in Northern Ireland, including an upgrade of the A8 between Belfast and Lame and a f..52m investment in the A26 between Ballymena and Ballymoney.