Press release

On the Road to Nowhere

14 February 2012

Friends of the Earth has reacted strongly to today's announcement by Minister Kennedy securing additional funding for road projects in Northern Ireland.

The campaigning group has singled out the A5 for particular criticism as this is not an improvement to an existing road but a new road.

Friends of the Earth's Northern Ireland Director, James Orr, said:

"We accept a modest programme of investment may be needed to improve the existing A5 but to bulldoze a new road through good farmland and a sensitive landscape is senseless. This new A5 road is a road to nowhere. Even if was to be completed it will only link two villages - Newbuildings and Auchnacloy - hardly a strategic priority.

"Just think what half a billion could achieve if we invested it in a proper train and bus service and better provision for walking and cycling. We would have a fairer and fitter society and be economically stronger. Instead this Minister locks us into further dependency on imported petrol and siphons money away from where it is needed - clean, green sustainable transport."

Mr Orr added :

"The Minister also leaves his Department open to legal challenge. The inquiry process was heavily loaded in favour of a pre-determined outcome. This is an inquiry were the Department for Regional Development is the developer of the road, yet it organised the inquiry and determines the outcome of the inquiry. That would appear to be against principles of natural justice. It is even more remarkable that the Minister has also today announced the contractors before the inquiry has even been determined. "

Friends of the Earth's submission to the A5 Public Inquiry can be found here.

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Friends of the Earth Northern Ireland
7 Donegall Street Place
BELFAST
BT1 2FN
Tel: 028 9023 3488
Fax: 028 9024 7556
Email: foe-ni@foe.co.uk.

Published by Friends of the Earth Trust