09/04/2013
A5 Decision Quashed
A High Court judge has quashed the decision to go ahead with a new £330m dual carriageway project between L'Derry and Aughnacloy.
The Department for Regional Development now has a seven-day stay to lodge any appeal to the ruling on the £330m A5 development.
The proposed scheme is the largest of its kind ever in Northern Ireland.
Campaign group Alternative A5 Alliance welcomed the decision.
It said in a statement: "Thankfully, the decision based on a breach of the Habitats Directive and on the need to save the protected species including salmon in the Foyle and Finn Special Areas of Conservation, will also save 3000 acres of productive farmland, many businesses and permanent jobs, as well as sparing many householders the devastation that this unnecessary new dual carriageway would have caused."
Minister for Regional Development Danny Kennedy said he was disappointed with the decision.
"Today's ruling is disappointing but my key priority now is to consider the merits of appealing and to find a resolution to this situation as quickly as possible," he said.
"I also intend to discuss this with Executive colleagues on Thursday."
SDLP Foyle MP Mark Durkan called the decision to quash "a very, very serious hit for the North West".
He said: "The A5 is a necessary project and it needs to be a priority for the Executive.
"It is important to remember that the A5 is a key service route for people throughout the West.
"We need this in the greater North West. Derry needs it. North Donegal needs it. And Tyrone and Fermanagh need it."
(IT/CD)
The Department for Regional Development now has a seven-day stay to lodge any appeal to the ruling on the £330m A5 development.
The proposed scheme is the largest of its kind ever in Northern Ireland.
Campaign group Alternative A5 Alliance welcomed the decision.
It said in a statement: "Thankfully, the decision based on a breach of the Habitats Directive and on the need to save the protected species including salmon in the Foyle and Finn Special Areas of Conservation, will also save 3000 acres of productive farmland, many businesses and permanent jobs, as well as sparing many householders the devastation that this unnecessary new dual carriageway would have caused."
Minister for Regional Development Danny Kennedy said he was disappointed with the decision.
"Today's ruling is disappointing but my key priority now is to consider the merits of appealing and to find a resolution to this situation as quickly as possible," he said.
"I also intend to discuss this with Executive colleagues on Thursday."
SDLP Foyle MP Mark Durkan called the decision to quash "a very, very serious hit for the North West".
He said: "The A5 is a necessary project and it needs to be a priority for the Executive.
"It is important to remember that the A5 is a key service route for people throughout the West.
"We need this in the greater North West. Derry needs it. North Donegal needs it. And Tyrone and Fermanagh need it."
(IT/CD)
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