‘The A5 is as important to the North-West as the Panama Canal is to the US’

A local haulage representative says the people of Donegal, in particular Inishowen, have been left “deeply disappointed” by a court ruling to block construction of a much-needed new £1.7bn A5 dual carriageway from Derry to Aughnacloy.

George Mills says the A5 route is every bit as important to the economic lifeblood and prosperity of the North-West region as the Panama Canal is to the United States.

The Culdaff man warns that the Belfast High Court decision in favour of a handful of objectors condemns us to continue to travel on one of the country’s most dangerous and out-dated roads.

“There is no viable alternative to get to our capital city by road,” he says. “As it is, the A5 is statistically the most dangerous road in Ireland, with fifty fatalities in less than twenty years.”

Mr Mills fears further serious and fatal crashes are now inevitable until the 54-mile stretch of roadway is properly upgraded.

“Unbelievably, there are still those who say that it has nothing to do with the road, but that it’s driver behaviour which causes the excess deaths on the A5.”

“I would argue that unfortunately there will always be careless drivers, bad drivers, old drivers, inexperienced drivers, drunk drivers, tired drivers – but they will be infinitely less danger to themselves and other road users if they are on a proper dual carriageway or motorway, where at least they are travelling one-way and are separated from oncoming traffic by a centre barrier.”

The Culdaff haulier says the current A5, with its countless dangerous bends, dips and lack of overtaking options, would be classed as a “farm track” in any modern mainland European country. Indeed, the road often sees long tailbacks behind tractors.

In refusing the go-ahead for the new dual carriageway, Mr Justice McAlinden said he was aware that his ruling would bring “fresh anguish” to the families of those who had lost loved ones on the road. But he said the proposed construction scheme would breach elements of the Climate Change Act 2022.

However, Mr Mills has accused those opposed to the upgrade of having “selective issues” when it comes to net-zero targets.

“The objectors have succeeded in raising a technicality from net-zero legislation to stop indefinitely any further progress.”

“It is cruel that they can overrule loss and grief with their selfish selection.”

“Transport is rated below agriculture when it comes to climate change pollution, but loss of life and grieving families do not seem to feature in the calculations of the objectors.”

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Mr Mills says many trucks and HGVs now emit fewer pollutants than cars, while the number of electric vehicles continues to rise every year, meaning that climate calculations made just a few years ago could already be out of date.

The Inishowen man added: “As far as nature and wildlife are concerned, there will be some disturbance, of course, during construction, but I helped lay tar on the M1 motorway when it was being built from Dundalk to Dublin in 2002 and it is unrecognisable to me now. With the wonderful hedgerows and shrubbery that grow along its length, it’s a haven for birds and wildlife.”

“Man and nature can restore a habitat, but a loved one lost to a road accident can never be restored, as I can testify to, having lost my brother a long time ago.”