A5 reports on Foyleand Swilly impactare on display now

Three reports on the potential impact of the proposed A5 Londonderry to Aughnacloy road on important conservation sites on the Foyle and Swilly are now available for public perusal.
By Kevin Mullan
Published 11th May 2014, 08:36 BST
Whooper swans, adults feeding in field by River Foyle, Northern IrelandWhooper swans, adults feeding in field by River Foyle, Northern Ireland
Whooper swans, adults feeding in field by River Foyle, Northern Ireland

Last year the Alternative A5 Alliance won a judicial review challenge to the planned new route due to a breach of a habitats directive.

The Department of Regional Development (DRD) consequently produced three reports on the potential impacts on environmentally sensitive sites in line with the EC Habitats Directive (Council Directive 92/43/EEC).

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A fourth report on the Tully Bog Special Area of Conservation will be available in September 2014.

DRD now wants to gauge the opinion of the general public on the reports, which were ‘prepared to inform appropriate assessments’ on Natura 200 sites at: “River Foyle and Tributaries Special Area of Conservation; Owenkillew River Special Area of Conservation; River Finn Special Area of Conservation; Lough Foyle Special Protection Area; Lough Swilly Special Protection Area; Lough Neagh & Lough Beg Special Protection Area; Lough Foyle Ramsar Site; and Lough Neagh & Lough Beg Ramsar Site.”

The reports are now available in local Roads Service offices and in both the Derry City Council and Strabane District Council offices.

Transport Minister Danny Kennedy said: “The publication of these reports represents the first of a series of further consultations on the A5WTC project.

“I would encourage people to view the documents which will be on display at a number of public offices over a six week consultation period.”

Related topics:FoyleDanny Kennedy