AQW 38582/22-27

Mrs Diane Dodds
Democratic Unionist Party
Upper Bann

Tabled Date: 20/01/2026
Answered On Date: 02/02/2026
Priority Written: Yes

Question:
To ask the Minister for Infrastructure to detail any projects which are now being held back as a result of the A5 Western Transport Corridor scheme appeal.

Answer:

The A5WTC High Court judgment, which went against my Department, was hugely disappointing, not just for me, but for all the families and campaigners such as Enough is Enough who have been extremely diligent and steadfast in their commitment to ensuring that the road is built.

My Department lodged an appeal against the judgment and the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs and Friends of The Earth were granted permission to formally intervene in the appeal. The case was heard in part by the Appeal Court on 9 and 10 December.

The Appeal Court then referred the matter of the Climate Change Act back to the High Court where the case has had an initial hearing with a further one scheduled for 25 February. Following an outcome from this, the Court of Appeal will then reconvene.

The outcome of this appeal will have far-reaching implications for all major infrastructure projects pursued by departments across the North and to safeguard my Department’s limited resources, I am carefully considering how to advance other infrastructure schemes in line with the outcome of the A5 judgment.

To preserve the progress already made, I have ensured these schemes can remain live until the final judgment is delivered through the extension of the tender validity periods for both the A4 Enniskillen Bypass and the Lagan and Pedestrian Cycle Bridge. My officials are also preparing options for my consideration to protect the A1 Junctions Phase 2 project.

My priority remains the delivery of these vital infrastructure projects, and I am committed to protecting the progress of these schemes as much as possible while the legal process continues.