Logistics UK welcomes A6 upgrades

Thursday 06 April 2023

Logistics UK today (06 April) welcomes the opening of 25.5 kilometres of dual carriageway from Dungiven to Drumahoe following completion of Phase 2 of the much-needed upgrade to the A6. Nichola Mallon, Head of Trade and Devolved Policy at Logistics UK, comments 

“The A6 is a key economic and logistics corridor for Northern Ireland and the North West, and is a significantly popular route used by around 15,000 vehicles every day.  Logistics UK has been campaigning for this infrastructure upgrade for many years to improve connectivity and safety on the route. For our members, the people transporting often time sensitive goods that we all need to factories, shops, schools, hospitals and more, it will mean safer, shorter and more reliable journey times.  

“The safety of all road users is the highest priority; dualling will make overtaking easier and safer, and will prevent tailbacks and the frustration that has been an all too common sight along this single track highway. With the cost of running a 44 tonne lorry and trailer sitting at just over £1.27 per minute, less time spent in traffic will also help to reduce running costs and congestion for all road users. Today’s opening of this stretch of the A6 will make a real difference to operators working to provide the reliable service manufacturers, retailers and other movers of freight require. It will also provide a boost to economic and investment opportunities for the North West and Mid Ulster in particular, given the ability to bring goods to market efficiently is a key factor in attracting new business.” 

Logistics UK is one of the UK’s leading business groups, representing logistics businesses which are vital to keeping the UK trading, and more than seven million people directly employed in the making, selling and moving of goods. With decarbonisation, Brexit, new technology and other disruptive forces driving change in the way goods move across borders and through the supply chain, logistics has never been more important to UK plc. Logistics UK supports, shapes and stands up for safe and efficient logistics, and is the only business group which represents the whole industry, with members from the road, rail, sea and air industries, as well as the buyers of freight services such as retailers and manufacturers whose businesses depend on the efficient movement of goods.