MLA’s plea to opponents of ‘lifesaving’ A5 upgrade

A MAJOR road project held up by legal challenges could save 19 lives and prevent 2,000 crashes over the next six decades, a government department has said.

The A5 Western Transport Corridor scheme is Northern Ireland’s biggest road project, but is stuck in legal limbo despite being approved 10 years ago.

West Tyrone SDLP MLA Daniel McCrossan described the A5 as “the most dangerous road in Ireland”.

He said nearly 40 lives had been lost on it in 12 years, including that of Darren Gallagher (23) from Omagh, who became the latest victim after a crash early on Sunday morning.

The Department for Infrastructure said an assessment into the A5 scheme found that, when complete, it could prevent more than 2,000 crashes, 2,750 casualties and 19 fatalities over 60 years.

The £150m project continues to be held up by a legal challenge from the Alternative A5 Alliance, which claims the scheme cannot be approved without a minister, as well as previously raising environmental concerns.

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 case was due before the High Court again earlier this month, but was adjourned.