Work to go ahead as environmentalist loses appeal against route of new A6 road
An environmentalist has lost his appeal against the planned route of the new A6 road.
Chris Murphy said the planned route would impact on the feeding groups for Whooper Swans.
The Department for Infrastructure said that the swans would not be affected by the route.
This morning the Court of Appeal dismissed his appeal against a ruling which said the Department for Infrastructure had carried out the correct environmental surveys before approving the planned route.
Mr Murphy had contended that the surveys they based their decision on were out of date.
A spokesperson for the Department for Infrastructure welcomed the decision.
The spokesperson said: “The Department welcomes today’s Judicial Review Appeal Judgement upholding the original judgement in favour of the Department. Both judgements confirm the Department’s robust economic, engineering and environmental assessment procedures.
“As a result of the Judgement the Department will commence construction of the Toome to Moyola River section of the scheme which had been delayed due to the legal challenge.
“The A6 scheme is fundamental in enhancing connectivity, improving journey times and unlocking the economic potential of the whole region. Local communities will also see economic and social benefits resulting in employment opportunities from a scheme of this size.”
Sinn Féin MLA Ian Milne welcomed today's court ruling.
The Mid-Ulster MLA said: “The A6 upgrade is a key infrastructural project to help redress regional balance and was significantly moved forward by my party colleague Chris Hazzard when he was Infrastructure Minister.
“Today’s court ruling clears the way for the work to commence on the Toome to Moyola River section of the scheme.
“The A6 scheme is fundamental in enhancing connectivity, improving journey times and unlocking the economic potential of the whole region. Local communities will also see economic and social benefits resulting in employment opportunities from a scheme of this size.
"The A6 upgrade represents an investment of over £160m and has long been a key priority for Sinn Féin.
"When completed in 2019 the project will greatly reduce travel times between Derry and Belfast, a development which will be greatly welcomed by the many thousands of people who make that journey every day."