A5 road scheme faces further delays following critical report

by Q Radio News

The much anticipated A5 road scheme is facing further delays following a report from the Planning Appeals Commission (PAC). 

The project, which is estimated to cost around £1.2 billion, will connect Derry/Londonerry to Aughnacloy, Co. Tyrone and improve access to Dublin. 

However, the report from PAC into the scheme has put forward a number of recommendations including carrying out further assessments on flood risks, its environmental impact and possible alternatives. 

Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon says she accepts the recommendations and confirmed she is committed to the progression of the A5. 

It will be late this year before the assessments are completed and the minister has also ordered another public inquiry to be held next year, resulting in further delays to the project. 

Minister Mallon said, “The A5 is an absolute priority for me as a strategic road.

"It will open up connectivity in the North West and the rest of our island, ensure safer travel for communities and deliver opportunities for our local economy.

"I know this project has been long awaited and I am determined as Minister to see it progress through the statutory process as quickly as possible, ensuring the project is delivered properly for citizens and our wider environment.”

She added, “I have accepted the Commissioner’s key recommendation regarding the preparation of and consultation on further documents on the important topics of flood risk and the consideration of alternatives to the proposed scheme. 

"As such, I have asked officials to prepare a further addendum to the Environmental Statement (ESA) for consultation in early autumn.  I have also today published the Department’s formal response to all the recommendations made by the PAC and this is in the form of an Interim Departmental Statement. 

“While I anticipate this approach will lead to the re-opening of the public inquiry, as recommended by the PAC, early next year, it will enable it to consider further public representations made on the two key topics of flood risk and scheme alternatives and prepare its final report."

The A5 scheme will link Derry/Londonderry to the border at Aughnacloy, to improve connectivity to Dublin.

However, the announcement of further delays has not been welcomed by everyone. 

West Tyrone MP Órfhlaith Begley says the decision to hold a fresh public inquiry early next year puts the project further back than ever. 

This month also marks one month since the last inquiry into scheme was completed. 

The Sinn Fein representative said, “There is shock and massive disappointment throughout the community that the Minister has announced a fresh public inquiry into the A5 Upgrade.

“Given that a full year has passed since the completion of the last limited public inquiry and given that it was widely expected that the Minister would finally announce a decision to proceed with Phase 1 of the project this decision leaves us further back than ever.

“It was widely believed that the Minister was taking her time to ensure that she had all her ducks in a row so that a decision to proceed could not be challenged.  The question now therefore is what has she been doing in the interim.

"Instead of a positive decision she has instead finally published the Planning Appeals Commission and far from progressing the A5 new obstacles and delays have been put up to stall its progression.

"She now says that there will now be another environmental statement for consultation in the autumn and the reopening of the public inquiry early next year. 

"People are gutted at this news and are in a state of disbelief.”

Meanwhile, SDLP MLA Daniel McCrossan says while further delays are disappointing, the steps announced by the Infrastructure Minister are necessary. 

Mr McCrossan said, “Today’s announcement is hugely disappointing and it will rightly add to the growing frustration among the public that this vitally important scheme has not advanced yet.

“Having met with Minister Mallon on a number of occasions, I know the Minister is committed to the delivery of this project.

"The Minister has made clear she has taken legal advice on the issue. It’s clear that if further consultation didn’t happen, the scheme is wide open to legal challenge and could be lost forever.

“I want to ensure the scheme progresses rather than it falling into the hands of the detractors with vested interests.

"Let’s be clear, there is no alternative and the A5 scheme is needed to save countless lives on one of the most dangerous roads in Ireland.

"It will increase connectivity for the North West to Belfast and Dublin. It will provide much needed jobs and boost our local economy. It is the only game in town."