Timeline
The process to construct a new A5 Dual Carriageway known as the AS Western Transport Corridor began on 17th July 2007 when the NI Executive agreed to proceed with the plan. Within four months consultants were appointed and work began on selecting the preferred route.
A series of options were released to the public in February 2009 and the preferred route was announced in July of that same year. In the interim period 9 people lost their lives on the A5.
Following the preparation of planning and legal papers pre-orders exhibition and draft statutory orders were published in November 2010.
A series of public enquiries held in between May and July 2011. In the interim period 6 more people lost their lives on the A5.
November 2011 the Irish Government withdrew their funding offer for the new road.
14th February 2012 a decision was taken to proceed with Derry to Strabane and Omagh and Ballygawley sections of the new road. In the interim period 1 more person lost their life on the A5.
September 2012 a legal challenge was received, and the scheme put on hold.
April 2013 a legal decision is delivered by a Judge not to proceed with scheme.
Between April 2014 and April 2016, a series of public consultations on bog habitats, environmental statement are published and the revised Summary of Environmental Statement are published. In the interim period 9 more people lost their lives on the A5.
August 2016 a legal challenge is received in the form of an application for a judicial review and the public inquiry begins in October of that year.
November 2016 the legal challenge is rejected by judge. In the interim period 2 more people lost their lives on the A5.
November 2017 the scheme is given go ahead by DFI, and public inquiry report published.
December 2017 a third legal challenge received and a year later in December 2018 a Judge quashes decision to proceed with scheme.
February 2020 a third public inquiry began and was later adjourned. In the interim period to 3rd January 2023 another 17 people have lost their lives on the A5.