01/11/2018

A5 Redevelopment To Reduce Death And Carnage

An SDLP MLA has branded a recent road safety assessment of the A5, which links L'Derry and Omagh, as "profound" and said the redevelopment must proceed to stop the "death and carnage" the route causes.

The major road project is currently being held up by legal challenges, but could prevent 2,000 crashes over the next six decades, the Department for Infrastructure has estimated.

The A5 Western Transport Corridor scheme is Northern Ireland's biggest road project, but remains in limbo after gaining approval 10 years ago.

West Tyrone MLA Daniel McCrossan described the route as "the most dangerous road in Ireland".

He said nearly 40 lives had been lost on it in 12 years, including that of 23-year-old Darren Gallagher from Omagh, who became the latest victim following a single-vehicle collision on Sunday 28 October.

Mr McCrossan said: "Those holding the scheme back and progressing the judicial review case have to stop immediately.

"The potential injury and deaths from not proceeding have to be wearing hard on their conscience.

"I do not want to see any more families left with heartache and devastation. I do not want to see any more young people have their lives taken far too shortly. I do not want to see any more excuses or tokenistic political stunts."

The £150m project is being held up by a challenge from the Alternative A5 Alliance, which claims the scheme cannot be approved without a minister and also raised environmental concerns about the structure.

The case was due before the High Court in October 2018, but was adjourned.



(JG/CM)

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