The High Court in Belfast has ruled against the £1.7bn A5 road project in Northern Ireland going ahead in its current form.
This is the third time in 18 years approval for the project has been overturned in court, despite long-standing calls for the A5 to be upgraded due to ongoing safety concerns. Since 2006, over 50 people have died on the road.
The project was most recently given approval by Stormont ministers in October last year, but a legal challenge was then brought by climate activist group Alternative A5 Alliance, which opposes the project due to environmental concerns.
Despite these concerns, Justice McAlinden said that the Department for Infrastructure’s (DfI) plans didn’t comply with climate change targets set down by Northern Ireland ministers at Stormont.
He added that there was an ‘inadequacy of information for the purpose of lawful decision making’, saying that this is why the DfI’s approval of the scheme ‘cannot stand’.
Infrastructure minister Liz Kimmins said: ‘We will take time to carefully consider the judgement in full, including any implications for the scheme and the Department’s next steps.
‘My priority remains the safety and wellbeing of all road users, and we remain committed to delivering the A5. We will continue to engage constructively with all stakeholders, including those who have raised concerns, to explore a path forward.
‘It is a matter of deep regret that we have received this decision today 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 the most dangerous road in Ireland.
‘Despite this setback, we will work to find a way forward that sees the A5 built to save lives. Every day of delay risks more avoidable heartbreak, and as Infrastructure Minister I am determined to ensure a new A5 is delivered.’
Image credit: Shutterstock @shawnwil23
