Kennedy Accepts A5 Decision

The Department For Regional Development will not appeal a judge's decision to quash plans for the new A5 road scheme.

Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy announced the decision today.

The planned A5 was to connect L'Derry with Aughnacloy in County Tyrone.

But last month, the Alternative A5 Alliance won their challenge to the new route due to a breach of a habitats directive.

The Minister said: "I have considered the very complex legal and procedural matters at length upon receiving detailed legal advice. It is my intention to accept the ruling of Mr Justice Stephens and therefore I have decided not to appeal.

"The Judge took the view that a fuller assessment of the impact of the A5 proposals on the rivers Foyle and Finn Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) should have been carried out. I now intend to have a more comprehensive assessment conducted. When this is completed I will consider the matter further.

"It is important that the outcomes of any new assessment are not pre-judged and therefore I cannot provide any further detail at this time regarding timescales other than to say that there will be substantial delay.

"My officials will seek to engage with landowners to carefully work through the next steps in relation to land issues."

Minister Kennedy continued: "I am conscious of the impact of delay to this significant roads project on our local construction industry and therefore I will engage with the Executive to see how finance may be best deployed this year to support local jobs.

"Given the delay, it is important that other schemes that may be in a position to be progressed ahead of the A5 are given full consideration by the Executive.

"Therefore I intend to bring forward an Executive paper detailing other options such as moving forward with procurement on other possible schemes."

(IT/CD)