Understand
Families of A5 crash victims welcome Court of Appeal ruling to allow road upgrade
Overview
The Northern Ireland Court of Appeal has overturned a judge's ruling that previously blocked upgrade work on the dangerous A5 road, paving the way for a new dual carriageway through counties Londonderry and Tyrone. Over the past two decades, more than 50 people have died in crashes on the road. Families of those killed have overwhelmingly welcomed the decision, calling for work to begin as soon as possible to prevent further tragedies. However, some local residents have expressed concerns regarding how the rerouting of the road might affect their homes and local communities.
Key points
- The Northern Ireland Court of Appeal overturned a previous ruling that blocked upgrade work on the A5.
- Over 50 people have died in crashes along the A5 over the past 20 years.
- Families of crash victims welcomed the judgment, stating the safety upgrades are long overdue and will save lives.
- Some residents living near the proposed route have raised concerns about losing their homes, community division, and living in uncertainty regarding the final path of the road.