Belfast High Court Imminent Ruling on £1.2bn A5 Dual Carriageway Challenge

A High Court decision on the future of the £1.2 billion A5 road upgrade project in Northern Ireland is expected imminently, following a judicial review brought by the Alternative A5 Alliance, a group of farmers, landowners, and environmentalists opposing the plans. The project, first approved in 2007 and recently greenlit by Stormont ministers, seeks to upgrade the dangerous single carriageway linking Derry to Aughnacloy into a full dual carriageway, aiming to improve safety after over 57 deaths along the route since its initial approval. Supporters argue the road is vital for regional connectivity and urgently needed to reduce fatalities, while opponents contend the scheme breaches Northern Ireland's Climate Change Act targets to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. The legal challenge has caused significant delays, including public inquiries and protests, with some advance work already underway. The court's ruling will determine whether construction proceeds amid ongoing tensions between infrastructure development and environmental concerns. The A5 is a key transport artery connecting northern and southern routes and serves several principal towns including Omagh and Strabane.