Public invited to submit views on A5 Supplementary Environmental Information

Views are invited from the public on A5 Supplementary Environmental Information published today by the Department for Infrastructure.

The Department published and consulted on a new Environmental Statement Addendum (ESA 2022) and associated documentation on the A5 Western Transport Corridor dual carriageway scheme in March 2022. 

Having considered the opinions expressed in response to that consultation process, the Department is further consulting on a number of new and other updated reports as supplementary information to the ESA 2022.

These reports relate to new information on a new Outline Business Case for the scheme; updates and additional information on scheme alternatives; scheme phasing; agricultural industry impacts and further background information on proposed mitigation measures at Tully Bog Special Area of Conservation. 

The Department encourages anyone with an interest in this significant flagship project to make their views known during this consultation period which opens today until 23 December 2022. Members of the public can submit their views by letter or email.  All details are available at:  https://www.a5wtc.com/Supplementary-Environmental-Information-Nov-2022.

All previous representations about the project in response to the ESA 2022 consultation of March this year, will be taken into account by the Department and it is not necessary to re-submit them. Any additional representations by way of supplement or amendment must however be submitted to the Department on or before the closing date of this consultation process of 23 December 2022. 

Notes to editors: 

1. On completion, the A5 WTC project will provide 85 kilometres of new high standard dual carriageway between New Buildings and just south of Aughnacloy.
2. In September 2020, the Department received an Interim Report from the Planning Appeals Commission (PAC) on its findings from the Public Inquiry held in February and March 2020. It contained two key recommendations, in relation to the need for further assessments on (a) flood risk and (b) scheme alternatives.
3. The PAC adjourned the Public Inquiry to allow these recommendations to be incorporated into a new addendum to the Environmental Statement and made available for further public consultation.
4. A new Environmental Statement Addendum and associated documentation were published on 16 March of this year, commencing a consultation process that concluded on 6 May.  The representations have been collated and the PAC has now confirmed that the reconvened public inquiry will open on 25 January 2023.  Views from this new consultation will be submitted to the Public Inquiry Process.
5. Information relating to the public inquiry has been published on the PAC website at : Public Local Inquiry into the A5 Western Transport Corridor Road Scheme | Planning Appeals Commission (pacni.gov.uk)
6. All media queries should be directed to the Department for Infrastructure Press Office at: press.office@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk
7. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.
8. Follow the Department on Twitter @deptinfra and on Facebook @DepartmentforInfrastructure

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