Farmers ‘in limbo’ over land as decision awaited on A5 upgrade

Farmers with land along the route of the planned A5 upgrade have been left in “limbo”, it has been claimed as they await confirmation of a start date for the project.

It is hoped the long-awaited construction of the new dual-carriageway between Derry and Aughnacloy in Co Tyrone could begin later this year.

The road is considered one of the most dangerous in Ireland, and since the upgrade was first given the green light by Stormont back in 2007, more than 50 people have lost their lives in A5 crashes.

A decision on the upgrade has yet to be finalised by the Department for Infrastructure (DfI), but following last year’s public inquiry into the project, minister John O’Dowd said last month that he would be recommending it to proceed.

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The estimated cost for the 53-mile A5 Western Transport Corridor scheme has reached around £1.6 billion, with the Irish government having pledged £400m as the road is part of the main route between Donegal and Dublin.

However, farmers with land along the route have said they are unable to make decisions on their businesses as a result of uncertainty on when construction will begin.

In response to a written Assembly question in May, Mr O’Dowd said there were 314 “working farms that would incur loss of land” due to the upgrade.

Ulster Farmers’ Union president John McLenaghan said its members “recognise the importance of improved road safety”.

“We have received a number of calls from members whose farms stand to be impacted by the route, as they are currently unable to make any firm decisions on the future of their farming enterprise,” he said.

“The UFU have asked whether it is an accurate assumption that subject to the final decision from the Assembly, a series of necessary statutory processes and environmental assessments will need to be completed. Crucially before construction work can commence.”

Mr McLenaghan said clarity was also being sought on the vesting process in which land would be acquired by the DfI.

“Farmers and landowners have been in limbo for several years now,” he said, adding: “Landowners need a detailed plan for the route, the timeline of what the next steps will be and the impact on farm families to help plan the future of their business.”

Earlier this year, Stormont’s infrastructure committee heard from the DfI’s project director Colin Hutchinson, who said the department’s intention was to “put a series of papers to the Executive over the summer, with the view to a decision being taken later in the summer”.

A DfI spokesperson said: “Too many lives have been cut short or forever changed by serious injury as a result of road traffic collisions on the A5 and too many families are living with the devastating consequences.

“The minister briefed his Executive colleagues last month on progress and has since issued to them his initial response to the Planning Appeals Commission report.

“As this is a cross-cutting issue he will await their feedback and hopes to then submit a further paper later this month for their approval on progression of the A5 project.”