Public inquiry on A5 expected next year

An environmental assessment of the A5 Western Transport Corridor is being prepared at present and Roads Minister Conor Murphy believes it will published in a matter of months.

In response to an Assembly question he stated: "My Department's Roads Service has advised that the environmental assessment for the proposed A5 Western Transport Corridor is currently ongoing, and will be published as the Environmental Statement this autumn.

"Details of all environmental issues and proposed mitigation measures will be included in the Statement, which I anticipate will be the subject of a public inquiry in 2011."

UUP MLA Tom Elliott asked the Minister if he intended discussing the environmental issues surrounding the A5 road with the Minister of the Environment and the Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development.

Mr Murphy said Roads Service and A5 consultants Mouchel had been in dicussions with DoE and DARD but he did not intend personally speaking with the Ministers.

"Both these Departments will also be formally consulted when the A5 Western Transport Corridor Environmental Statement is published this autumn. I do not intend to personally speak directly with the respective Ministers," he stated.

The Sentinel recently reported Newbuildings environmental campaigner Victor Christie's call for an independent assessment to be carried out on the road.

The local Friends of the Earth member said the proposed route infringes an Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI) that runs along the East Bank of the River Foyle between Strabane and Newbuildings.

There are also concerns in Newbuildings about possible traffic congestion.