Latest news with #ClimateChange(NorthernIreland)Act2022
ITV News
23-06-2025
- Politics
- ITV News
Plans to upgrade A5 road rejected as they do not comply with Northern Ireland climate targets
A judge has ruled that the £1.2bn first phase of the A5 project cannot go ahead in its current form because the plans do not comply with climate change targets in Northern Ireland. A summary of the 100 page document was presented by Judge McAlinden to a packed courtroom that included the Minister for Infrastructure, campaigners, those against the proposed scheme, and the press. Last year the Department for Infrastructure (DFI) announced it was going to build the controversial dual carriageway that would link Derry with Tyrone. Preparatory work had already started on the new route near Ballygawley, including the clearing of land. However, a group known as the A5 Alternative Alliance brought a legal challenge against the decision claiming the plan breaches climate change legislation set out in the Climate Change (Northern Ireland) Act 2022 to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The judge ruled there was an "inadequacy of information for the purpose of lawful decision making" when it comes to the methodology of estimating greenhouse gas emissions. "It would appear that overall, Northern Ireland may have difficulty staying within the first carbon budget that has now been set". The judge also made reference to concerns over human rights saying that the DFI "patently failed to address the human rights concerns" of some of those affected who live along the route of the new proposed road. It is estimated the project will temporarily affect direct access to more than 130 residential properties and will necessitate the demolition of three resident dwellings. Since 2006, more than 50 people have been killed on the road and campaigners claim the upgrade would save lives. Justice McAlinden said he was aware the decision will bring "fresh anguish to the doors of those who have been injured and maimed and those who have lost loved ones". "However the decision to proceed with the scheme must be in accordance with the law and and the principle of the rule of law cannot be subverted even if the motivation for doing so is to achieve what is deemed to constitute a clear societal benefit." The judge added that the "shortcomings" and "short cuts" highlighted in this decision are capable of being remedied and should be done sooner rather than later so a new and safer A5 dual carriageway could be built. Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To Know.
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
A5 upgrade won't jeopardise net zero goals, court told
Authorising the £1.2bn A5 road upgrade will not jeopardise Northern Ireland's net zero climate change goals, government lawyers have told the High Court. Counsel representing the Department for Infrastructure rejected claims it acted irrationally by approving the dual carriageway scheme without a proper action plan to ensure carbon emission targets are met. The 53-mile project on the main corridor between Londonderry and Aughnacloy in County Tyrone was given the go-ahead by Stormont ministers in October last year. With more than 50 deaths recorded on the A5 since 2006, campaigners have been pressing for the improvements to be carried out. The upgrade, which forms part of a proposed key cross-border business route linking Dublin and the north west, has already been held up by previous legal actions. A group of local residents, landowners and farmers are now mounting a fresh challenge against the decision to begin construction work. The umbrella group, known as the Alternative A5 Alliance, contend it will breach legislative targets set out in the Climate Change (Northern Ireland) Act 2022 to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Part of the case centres on Planning Appeals Commission recommendations against proceeding with the scheme unless the department was satisfied it would not undermine those goals. No reasonable authority could have concluded there was enough information to demonstrate the targets would still be met if the scheme was approved, according to the Alliance's case. But responding for the department, Paul McLaughlin, KC, confirmed that none of the allegations were accepted. "The obligation on the department was to act consistently with the climate targets," he said. "In this case, the department did satisfy itself through thorough analysis that the authorisation of this project was consistent with the achievement of those targets." Mr McLaughlin added: "At the very least, the authorisation of the scheme would not prejudice achievement of those targets. "The result is that the department did not act irrationally, it had ample information through which to satisfy itself and it therefore did not act in breach of (the act)." The hearing continues.
BBC News
20-03-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
A5 upgrade won't jeopardise net zero goals, court told
Authorising the £1.2bn A5 road upgrade will not jeopardise Northern Ireland's net zero climate change goals, government lawyers have told the High representing the Department for Infrastructure rejected claims it acted irrationally by approving the dual carriageway scheme without a proper action plan to ensure carbon emission targets are 53-mile project on the main corridor between Londonderry and Aughnacloy in County Tyrone was given the go-ahead by Stormont ministers in October last more than 50 deaths recorded on the A5 since 2006, campaigners have been pressing for the improvements to be carried out. The upgrade, which forms part of a proposed key cross-border business route linking Dublin and the north west, has already been held up by previous legal actions.A group of local residents, landowners and farmers are now mounting a fresh challenge against the decision to begin construction umbrella group, known as the Alternative A5 Alliance, contend it will breach legislative targets set out in the Climate Change (Northern Ireland) Act 2022 to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by of the case centres on Planning Appeals Commission recommendations against proceeding with the scheme unless the department was satisfied it would not undermine those goals. 'Thorough climate analysis' No reasonable authority could have concluded there was enough information to demonstrate the targets would still be met if the scheme was approved, according to the Alliance's responding for the department, Paul McLaughlin, KC, confirmed that none of the allegations were accepted."The obligation on the department was to act consistently with the climate targets," he said."In this case, the department did satisfy itself through thorough analysis that the authorisation of this project was consistent with the achievement of those targets."Mr McLaughlin added: "At the very least, the authorisation of the scheme would not prejudice achievement of those targets."The result is that the department did not act irrationally, it had ample information through which to satisfy itself and it therefore did not act in breach of (the act)."The hearing continues.
