24 June 2025

SDLP West Tyrone MLA Daniel McCrossan has said Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins must urgently outline the next steps for the A5 road upgrade.

He was speaking after questioning the Minister in the Assembly on Tuesday.

West Tyrone MLA Mr McCrossan said:

“When the Infrastructure Minister addressed the Assembly today following yesterday’s court ruling, she should have provided clarity on the immediate next steps for this life-saving project. Instead, we were told she plans to take time to consider the judgement. This is time she does not have, people’s lives are at stake every day on the A5.

“The Minister, her predecessor, and the Department for Infrastructure must take responsibility for this latest delay. The Planning Appeals Commission made clear recommendations on human rights, consultation, and compliance with climate legislation. These were ignored by the department and signed off by Minister O’Dowd in October 2024, a decision that left the entire project legally exposed. This was a wholly avoidable failure of leadership and governance.

“The SDLP Opposition has brought forward a proposal to amend the climate legislation to enable the A5 upgrade to proceed. We are willing to do whatever is necessary to make progress and get this road built. We now need to see the same urgency from the Minister to deliver this project and save lives.”