Press release

The new A5 road - a disaster for Northern Ireland

6 April 2011

The pre-inquiry into the new A5 road opens today [1], with Friends from the Earth warning that the project should not be allowed to proceed. The campaigning organisation argues that this new road, the biggest ever proposed for Northern Ireland, will seriously damage the environment, the economy and ruin investment in public transport for the next decade [2].

Friends of the Earth [3] Director, James Orr said :

"By all means upgrade the existing road but this billion pound new road will be a disaster for Northern Ireland. If allowed to go ahead it will be a permanent scar on Northern Ireland and a statement to the folly of our politicians in prioritising new roads over a coherent transport policy. With over 2,400 objections, and major divisions emerging in political support, opposition to this scheme is growing all the time."

In relation to the economic arguments, he added:

"The economic argument for this new road is a red herring. Just look at what happened in Southern Ireland. The obsession with gleaming new roads did nothing to prevent economic collapse. In fact, new roads hoover resources away from regional economies and prevent investment in the low carbon economy. This project will only serve to hook dangerously our economy on fossil fuels and further damage tourism and farming. The long term problem is our addiction to oil, and urgent measures are needed to make public transport cheaper and more convenient, encourage greener motoring and reduce our dependency on car travel"

Notes

1. The road is described by Roads Service of DRD as the A5 Western Transport Corridor. The pre-Inquiry meetings open today and take place this week in the Mellon Country Hotel, Omagh, the Fir Trees Hotel, Strabane and next week in Kelly's Inn Ballygawley.

2. Friends of the Earth has objected on the following grounds:

Strategic balance: The scale of this investment will prejudice investment in non car-based transport options for the next decade. The draft Regional Development Strategy addresses DRD's policy imperative of re-balancing transport investment with higher levels of support for public transport and "the need for a new emphasis on how to reduce dependence on the car and to change travel behaviour". This is especially important given the relatively low traffic flows (both existing and anticipated) and the absence of a proven and quantifiable 'need' for this road.

Climate Change: Northern Ireland faces a significant transport challenge with regard to surface transport being responsible for a higher proportion of emissions than other parts of the UK. The main source of greenhouse gas emissions is transport and transport emissions have increased by 38.8 per cent since the 1990 base year, whereas all other sectors have seen a decreasing trend in emissions since the 1990 base year. This road proposal will further contribute to this significant adverse trend, contrary to government policy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Environmental Damage: This development will adversely affect protected floodplains and directly damage an important wetland system. There is likely to be significant damage to ASSIs and the SAC. No attention has been paid to mitigation during construction. This road scheme raises the strong likelihood of successful complaints to Europe on breaches of a range of EU Directives including the EU Habitats Directive.

Economy: The project is likely to adversely affect the rural economy by damage and loss of farmland, the fragmentation of communities and contribute to tourism blight. Evidence exists from similar road schemes that the overall impact of this road on the entire economy of the north-west will result in the withdrawal of wealth and investment from the periphery toward the larger conurbations in Ireland. Without further road developments any 'time' benefits to road users will be obviated by the creation of bottlenecks close to Londonderry.

Alternatives: Alternatives to the scheme exist but have not been adequately assessed in the Environmental Statement. These alternatives include strengthening bus services, improving the existing road and the strengthening of the rail industry.

3. Friends of the Earth believes the environment is for everyone. We want a healthy planet and a good quality of life for all those who live on it. We inspire people to act together for a thriving environment. More than 90 per cent of our income comes from individuals so we rely on donations to continue our vital work. For further information visit www.foe.co.uk

If you're a journalist looking for press information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.

Published by Friends of the Earth Trust