Stormont’s Infrastructure minister is to appeal the decision of a Belfast court to overturn permission for Northern Ireland’s biggest roads project.
In June, Belfast’s High Court found in favour of landowners who had opposed the redevelopment of the A5 road through Tyrone and Derry.
The judge said there was insufficient evidence that the project complied with Stormont’s own legally binding climate change legislation.
Stormont’s Climate Change Act of 2022 puts an onus on Stormont departments to ensure Northern Ireland meets its emissions targets and carbon budgets on the way to net zero by 2050.
Mr Justice McAlinden said he had seen insufficient evidence that the building and operation of the new A5 fitted with this legal requirement.
The £1.2 billion upgrade is an important link for the wider northwest, including Donegal, and is being supported with €600m of Irish Government money.
In July, Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins flagged her intention to appeal but needed the support of her Executive colleagues.
Today she said she had secured executive approval, and the case could now proceed to Northern Ireland’s Court of Appeal.
“I have instructed legal counsel to submit an appeal, and that will be done imminently ahead of the deadline for appeal, which is Friday 8 August,” she said.
She added: “So that is be it currently being finalised. I think it’s fair to say that the officials and myself and my team have been working night and day to ensure that we are submitting a very robust appeal, whilst also looking at all of the other options, and we continue to work through that in parallel to the appeal that we will be lodging.”
Read the full report on www.rte.ie
Stormont minister to appeal High Court ruling on A5 upgrade was last modified: August 4th, 2025 by Staff Writer
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