Scheme Update: October 2011

Following completion of the Public Inquiry hearings in July 2011, the Inspectors are currently assessing all of the evidence and it is expected that the lnspector's report will be received by the Department towards the end of 2011. On receipt of the Inspector’s report, the Department and Minister will consider the recommendations along with any other evidence or issues. The Minister will also consider issues in relation to funding of other major road proposals across Northern lreland before making final decisions in relation to the A5WTC project. It is expected that this will take place in early 2012.

The decisions made in relation to the project will ultimately be reflected in the Departmental Statement. A copy of the relevant sections of the Departmental Statement and Inspector’s Report will be forwarded to each objector who attended, or was represented at, the Inquiry. Full copies can be issued on request to interested parties and will also be made available on the Department’s and the A5WTC websites in early 2012.

Without prejudice to any outcome of the public inquiries, there is still a need for the project team to progress elements of the project including having discussions with affected landowners to discuss the effects on their land including access arrangements and accommodation works. The need for further meetings was a recurring theme at the Public Inquiry hearings as was the need for the use of an alternative arrangement for use of land required temporarily to facilitate the works.

In addition to the landowner discussions, there are a number of non-intrusive site surveys which will need to continue over the coming weeks and months to enable the programme for delivery to be maintained. These include geophysical, well monitoring, watercourse and ecology surveys and landowners have been contacted regarding access for these. Please click here for a brief explanation of the requirements of each of the surveys.

The surveys will be undertaken by either Mouchel representatives or in the case of the geophysical survey by a specialist company, or by the Project Contractors. The appointed Contractors for each section are as follows:

• Section 1 from New Buildings to Sion Mills - Balfour Beatty/BAM/FP McCann Joint Venture
• Section 2 from Sion Mills to Omagh – Roadbridge/Sisk/PT McWilliams Joint Venture
• Section 3 from Omagh to South of Aughnacloy – Grahams/Farrans Joint Venture

These meetings and surveys are the next steps in the development of the scheme and there will be continued communication with the landowners as the scheme develops. These works are without prejudice to the Inspectors’ Report and any future decision on the progress of the scheme.