The A5 upgrade has been blocked…again

A major upgrade to one of Northern Ireland's main roads has been thrown into doubt after a judge ruled in favour of a group of farmers, residents and landowners who challenged the legality of the project.The long-delayed A5 scheme, first announced 18 years ago, has now been knocked back three times by the courts.At the High Court in Belfast, Justice McAlinden ruled the construction should not go ahead in its current form because the plans do not comply with government climate change targets.The judge said there was a lack of consultation and scrutiny of a new method for estimating greenhouse gas emissions, meaning there was inadequate information for "lawful decision making".However, Justice McAlinden said the shortcomings identified are "capable of being remedied" and urged officials to make "concerted efforts" to address them so a safer road can be built.Tara Mills & Declan Harvey talk to BBC NI’s Mid-Ulster Reporter Niall McCracken about what is next for the project. Get in touch: [email protected]