Members of Monaghan County Council who sit on the A5 N2 Cross Border Committee met with NI Minister Liz Kimmins in Stormont on Tuesday, 24th June. The meeting took place just one day after a High Court Ruling in relation to the A5 road scheme, which determined that the A5 project should not go ahead.
The 85km A5 Western Transport Scheme project has a long and complex history, facing delays and legal challenges since its inception in 2007. Since then more than 50 people have died on the road, and there has been widescale public outcry to see road safety improved. It was hoped that there was positive progress when the Planning Appeals Commission in Northern Ireland gave approval in October 2024 for 55km of the project to proceed to construction. A legal challenge was then lodged, and the project has been in the courts since. The decision of the judge that the project should not go ahead came as surprise in the face of growing public support to see the road improved and upgraded.
Minister Kimmins met with the A5 N2 Committee to inform them about the status of the A5 project. The A5 N2 Cross Border Committee comprises nominees from Monaghan County Council, Donegal County Council, Derry City and Strabane District Council, Fermanagh and Omagh District Council and Mid Ulster District Council, who work together to lobby for the delivery of road projects to improve and develop the N2/A5 northwest road corridor.
At the meeting, Minister Kimmins welcomed the support of the N2 A5 Cross Border Committee. All five Local Authorities recognise the need to co-ordinate and advocate for the delivery of improvements and upgrades to the N2/A5/TEN-T route from Dublin to the Northwest. Cllr PJ O’Hanlon, Cathaoirleach of Monaghan County Council and a member of the A5 N2 Committee, said ‘The court decision to stop the A5 project is very disappointing, especially when delaying the project will very likely result in more fatal and serious injury collisions on the road. The A5 project in Northern Ireland will form an important part of the overall upgrade of the N2/A5 northwest corridor, and will complement the N2 Ardee to Castleblayney and the N2 Clontibret to Border projects being planned by Monaghan County Council. Monaghan County Council want to see this road project delivered for the safety of everyone travelling in the northwest region, and as Cathaoirleach of this Council and a member of the A5 N2 Cross Border Committee I will work closely with other Local Authorities and with governments both sides to the border to support all projects along the route’.
Addressing the committee, the Minister noted this project has encountered setback after setback, and that challenges in delivering it impacts all of the families who have lost loved ones on the road. She said the judge gave a summary of the issues in court on Monday 23rd June, and made reference to significant underlying issues, which include meeting climate change targets set out in the new NI Climate Action Plan. The judge said there was a lack of consultation and scrutiny of a new method for estimating greenhouse gas emissions, meaning there was inadequate information for “lawful decision making”.
This court decision will further delay delivery of the project. The judge acknowledged it was “likely that delays in the progression of this scheme will coincide with the occurrence of further loss of life and serious injury on the existing road” but he said the decision to proceed “must be taken in accordance with the law”.
The Judge, Justice McAlinden, did however say that the shortcomings identified are “capable of being remedied“. The A5 project team are at the early stages of understanding the issues set out in the almost 100 page court decision, and are exploring options and timeframes to address the concerns.
Robert Burns, Chief Executive of Monaghan County Council noted that the court ruling is concerning as it may set a precedent for other large road schemes; ‘The completion of an upgraded and continuous route comprising the N2 from Ardee through County Monaghan, the A5 in Northern Ireland and the relevant national road routes in Donegal is critical in ensuring that there is a safe transport corridor that supports social cohesion and economic development in the border and north-west region of the Island. The Council is keen to progress the N2 upgrade schemes to obtain the necessary planning consents and ultimately deliver these critical projects on the ground. Monaghan County Council will liaise closely with their counterparts in Northern Ireland to understand the reasons for this court decision, and to ensure the N2 Clontibret to Border and N2 Ardee to Castleblayney Road Schemes take on board any lessons learned from this case’.
Minister Kimmins told the A5 N2 Committee that the court decision has been a devastating blow for officials, who have been working to deliver this project for many years. She said the NI Executive is committed to the A5 project and had ringfenced funding for it’s delivery. Despite this setback, the goal is still to deliver the project.
Members of the A5 N2 Cross Border Committee meeting NI Minister Liz Kimmins in Stormont