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 form. The 58-mile (94km) £1.7bn project was given the green light by Stormont ministers in October last year. However, on 23 Junea judge ruled that the construction of the project should not go aheadin its current form, saying the Department for Infrastructure's plans did not comply with climate change targets. At 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." Kimmins said her priority is that "we find a solution and we get this road built so that no more lives are lost". She added: "It is my priority that we find the best solution, but the quickest solution. "That is very complex, we need to do that very carefully, which is why I will not be knee jerking in terms of any decision." 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 Aughnacloy. More than 50 people have died on the A5 since 2006 and campaigners have called for the road to be upgraded. The dual carriageway scheme was first announced back in 2007, but has been beset by a number of delays. The 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 work. The umbrella group, known as the Alternative A5 Alliance, contended it would breach legislative targets to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. 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 environment. Safety 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.
Minister may pursue A5 appeal pending executive approval
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"Minister Considers Appeal Against Ruling Halting A5 Road Project"
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TruthLens AI Summary
Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins has indicated her intention to appeal a recent court ruling that halted the construction of the A5 road project in its current form. The A5 project, a significant infrastructure initiative costing £1.7 billion and spanning 58 miles, was initially approved by Stormont ministers in October 2022. However, a High Court judge ruled on June 23 that the project did not meet necessary climate change targets, effectively blocking its progression. During a press conference, Kimmins emphasized her commitment to finding a solution that prioritizes safety and expediency, stating, "It is my priority that we find the best solution, but the quickest solution." She acknowledged the complexity of the situation and assured that any decisions made would be carefully considered rather than impulsive. The A5 serves as a crucial route connecting various towns in Northern Ireland to Dublin, and there have been more than 50 fatalities on the road since 2006, highlighting the urgent need for upgrades to enhance safety.
The judicial review that led to the recent ruling was initiated by the Alternative A5 Alliance, comprising local residents, landowners, and farmers who argued that the project would violate legislative targets aimed at achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The ruling has broader implications for Stormont's climate change legislation, demonstrating its influence on infrastructure projects. A solicitor representing the Alternative A5 Alliance described the ruling as a vindication of their efforts, marking a significant victory for environmental advocacy. Meanwhile, safety campaigners from the Enough is Enough group expressed disappointment but acknowledged that the judgment provided a potential pathway for the A5 upgrade to proceed. Kimmins is now exploring the logistics of pursuing an appeal that would require executive agreement, with hopes of addressing both safety concerns and compliance with environmental standards in the future.
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