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O’Dowd says ‘highly complex’ review of 30 recommendations from A5 inquiry report near completion
Derry Journal
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13/06/2024
O’Dowd says ‘highly complex’ review of 30 recommendations from A5 inquiry report near completion
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00:00
The A5 Western Transport Corridor is a critically important infrastructure and flagship project
00:05
for the Executive. The Planning Appeals Committee issued its final advisory report from the
00:10
latest public inquiry process 2020 and 2023 to the Department on 31 October 2023. This
00:18
report included 30 advisory recommendations, many of which are detailed and require legal
00:23
and professional review, advice and input. This complex process is now close to completion.
00:30
I will be in a position to make an announcement in respect of the scheme when I have reviewed
00:34
all the relevant information in relation to this project. When I make my announcement,
00:39
I will do so in accordance with all relevant statutory procedures and on the basis of all
00:43
evidence, representation and advice which I have received from officials, statutory
00:48
agencies North and South, members of the public and all other bodies who have participated
00:52
in the process to date. My announcement will be accompanied by a statement of the reasons
00:57
for the decision. This will take the form of a Department statement, which will include
01:01
a detailed response to the PAC advisory report and publication of the PAC report itself at
01:08
the same time.
01:09
I call Donnie MacCrossan for a supplementary.
01:12
Thank you, Madam Speaker. Minister, 56 people have died on the A5 since 2006, and since
01:18
the Assembly came back in February, a further four people have died. The report is on your
01:23
desk now for eight months. Is there any particular reason that we should be concerned about the
01:28
delay? Can you give us any steer or a concrete answer as to when it will be published?
01:35
I am acutely conscious of the deaths on the A5 since I have come back into post. Throughout
01:44
my time in the Department, I have prioritised engagement in relation to the Planning Appeals
01:52
Commission's report. As I said in my opening remarks, it is highly technical, highly legal
01:57
and highly complex. I am also required to carry out significant scientific data collection,
02:06
which has taken several months because of the nature of that data collection. That data
02:13
collection is now complete. It is with a laboratory in England, which will report back to me in
02:19
due course. When I have all the evidence, information and answers in front of me, I
02:26
will be in a position to make an announcement at that time.
02:29
I thank the Minister for his answers so far. I also thank the Minister and his Department
02:34
for the work they have done in relation to the A5. I do not think we need to reiterate
02:39
the horror that has been visited on many families, not least in my area. I am grateful for the
02:47
work you are doing to ensure that there are no further legal challenges. In the interim,
02:52
have there been conversations with the Road Safety Board and the PSNA about what can be
02:56
done to keep the road as safe as possible and the people who use it as safe as possible?
03:02
I have had discussions with the PSNA and the Road Safety Partnership are continuing to
03:07
play their part as well. In general, the best way to improve road safety is for all of us
03:14
as road users to change our habits. Whether you are a driver, a cyclist, a motorcyclist
03:21
or a pedestrian, it is what action we take on the roads that decides whether we arrive
03:27
home safe or the people we share the road arrive home safe. I also accept that it is
03:31
the responsibility of my Department where measures need to be taken out, they should
03:34
be taken out in terms of engineering solutions to road safety as well. I am continuing to
03:40
examine options as we move forward to see if I can identify further investment for the
03:47
road and what the best use of that investment would be in terms of further road safety measures
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