'Ministers promise action, yet years later we're still waiting': £130m road scheme delayed again after Stormont appeals judge's ruling on separate project

The A1 scheme is to rework junctions on 15 miles of a dual carriageway between Hillsborough and Loughbrickland, adding new flyover intersections while closing gaps in its central reservation – all held to be important safety features.

But Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins has confirmed the brakes have been hit until a court case on a different high-profile road rebuild is dealt with.

After years of delay, the Department for Infrastructure finally gave a green light to the A1 scheme in 2024, stating that a contractor should be appointed to build it sometime this year.

Last summer the department was blocked from reworking the A5 road, which runs from Londonderry to the border with Co Monaghan, after a judge ruled its plans did not comply with climate change targets. The DfI is appealing that verdict, but has paused work on the A1 until a judge reaches a decision on the appeal.

Ms Kimmins this week confirmed nothing will be done with the A1 junctions until after the Court of Appeal gives its verdict on the 58-mile A5 scheme.

Answering questions from MLA Diane Dodds, she stated: “It is important that we consider it fully when looking at the next steps for all major roads projects, because we do not want to be in a scenario where we face challenges on everything.

“Whilst I want to see the project delivered at the earliest possible stage, it is critical that we consider the outcome of the appeal before taking the next steps.”

That angered Mrs Dodds, who feels failures over the A5 shouldn’t be used to put the brakes on other vital improvements to busy routes.

“The A1 has seen far too many serious and fatal collisions over the years,” she said. “Every delay to long-promised safety improvements risks further tragedy.

“Successive infrastructure ministers have stood at the roadside and promised action on the A1, yet years later we are still waiting to see spades in the ground. Patience is wearing thin, particularly for families who know all too well the consequences of inaction.

“While I recognise that the A5 scheme has been halted by a legal challenge linked to the executive’s unrealistic and unobtainable climate targets, it is vital that other road projects do not lose out as a result. Sinn Fein has consistently championed the A5, but that cannot come at the expense of schemes elsewhere – not least the A1, with its devastating record of loss of life.

“To put vital projects like this on the back burner to facilitate the A5 would be wrong, unacceptable, and a failure of balanced regional infrastructure planning. While we await the outcome of the appeal to the A5 ruling, the minister should take note that moving ahead on investment in our road network must be done fairly, with no scheme being given special status over improvements to the A1.”

The department has been contacted.