Latest news with #A5Project
BBC News
01-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Minister may pursue A5 appeal pending executive approval
Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins has said she is looking at "pursuing" an appeal into a ruling that the construction of the A5 project should not go ahead in its current 58-mile (94km) £1.7bn project was given the green light by Stormont ministers in October last on 23 June a judge ruled that the construction of the project should not go ahead in its current form, saying the Department for Infrastructure's plans did not comply with climate change a press conference on Tuesday, Kimmins said: "It is my intention that we will look at pursuing an appeal that will require executive agreement and we're exploring the logistics in relation to that". "My priority and my determination is that we find a solution and we get this road built so that no more lives are lost," said Kimmins, at a press conference on Tuesday. What is the A5? The road is the Northern Ireland part of the major arterial route that connects the north-west of the island - Donegal and Londonderry - to Dublin, via towns including Strabane, Omagh and than 50 people have died on the A5 since 2006 and campaigners have called for the road to be dual carriageway scheme was first announced back in 2007, but has been beset by a number of judicial review proceedings that culminated in Judge McAlinden's decision on 23 June, involved a group of residents, landowners and farmers who mounted a fresh challenge against the decision to begin construction umbrella group, known as the Alternative A5 Alliance, contended it would breach legislative targets to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. What happened in court? The High Court judgement blocking the upgrade of the A5 road - because the plans did not comply with government climate change targets - shows the reach and impact of Stormont's climate change legislation - but the judgement is clear that shortcomings in the project can be remedied.A solicitor for the Alternative A5 Alliance campaign group, which brought the successful case, said his clients' efforts had been "vindicated" and it was an important day for the campaigners from the Enough is Enough group said they were disappointed with the decision but added the judgement provided a "roadmap" for how the upgrade could proceed.
BreakingNews.ie
24-06-2025
- Politics
- BreakingNews.ie
Stormont Infrastructure Minister pressed over next steps after A5 setback
Northern Ireland's Infrastructure Minister has been pressed to urgently outline the next steps for the proposed upgrade of a road known as the most deadly in Ireland. The A5 project suffered a major knockback on Monday when the Stormont Executive's decision to proceed with the upgrade was quashed at the High Court in Belfast. Advertisement Mr Justice McAlinden said the proposed scheme breached elements of the Climate Change Act 2022. There have been more than 50 deaths on the road, which links Londonderry with Aughnacloy in Co Tyrone, since 2006. A5 project suffered a major setback on Monday. Photo: PA. Liz Kimmins appeared at the Assembly for an urgent question on the situation on Tuesday afternoon. She described to MLAs a 'hugely disappointing day' on Monday for her, as well as the families of those who have died on the road. Advertisement She said it had been a 'very detailed judgment' that her and her officials will 'take time to carefully consider in full, including any implications for the scheme and the department's next steps'. 'It was the first legal test for the Climate Change Act and for the Climate Action Plan, something that every department will now have to deal with the outworkings of,' she told MLAs. 'It's deeply regrettable that we have received this decision as we continue to see so many lives lost on this road, deaths that cause so much pain to families and tear our communities apart. 'It is undoubtedly the most dangerous road in Ireland, so my priority remains the safety and wellbeing of all road users, and I am determined that we will deliver the A5. Advertisement 'Building the road will save lives, will create jobs, and will significantly reduce journey times between the north west and Dublin. 'So despite this setback, I'm determined to find a way forward that sees this road built to ensure that we save lives, and every single day of delay risks more avoidable heartbreak, and as infrastructure minister, I'm determined to ensure that a new A5 is delivered.' Stormont Infrastructure Committee chairwoman Deborah Erskine. Photo: PA. Stormont Infrastructure Committee chairwoman Deborah Erskine put it to Ms Kimmins that the situation is an outworking of 'unrealistic and punitive climate targets'. 'Her party was joined by the SDLP and Alliance in imposing unrealistic and punitive climate targets despite the explicit warnings from the then agriculture and environment minister about the long-term impacts of those varied targets on other government departments, including the Department for Infrastructure,' the DUP MLA said. Advertisement 'Will you now take responsibility for the real world impacts of virtue signalling that has led us to this point, and apologise for it and outline how you intend to solve this mess of which other parties and your party created here.' Ms Kimmins responded saying it was 'not the time for point scoring'. 'Across the world people are taking action in terms of climate change and our responsibilities to deal with that,' she said. 'I think in the context of what we are talking about here today, I think it's important to remember the families who are impacted by this decision. This is not a time for point scoring, this is a time about looking for solutions. That's what I'm committed to doing, and that's what I'm determined to do.' Advertisement SDLP MLA Daniel McCrossan also criticised Ms Kimmins, contending she 'should have provided clarity on the immediate next steps for this life-saving project', instead of saying they will take time to consider the judgment in full. 'This is time she does not have, people's lives are at stake every day on the A5,' he said. Ireland Belfast court quashes decision to proceed with A5... Read More 'The minister, her predecessor John O'Dowd, and the Department for Infrastructure must take responsibility for this latest delay. 'The SDLP Opposition has brought forward a proposal to amend the climate legislation to enable the A5 upgrade to proceed. 'We are willing to do whatever is necessary to make progress and get this road built. We now need to see the same urgency from the minister to deliver this project and save lives.'
