|
Environmental protesters have gathered in a field in Co Tyrone
in opposition to the building of an 86km stretch of dual carriageway
through the county.
Activists at Climate
Camp 2010 are protesting against the road which is
part of the A5 western transport corridor route from Aughnacloy
to Derry.
The Climate Camp protesters are occupying a field at Victoria
Bridge, south of Strabane, through which the proposed road
will pass. They say they are there at the invitation of a
local group, the Alternative A5 Alliance.
Spokeswoman for Climate Camp Molly Walsh said - “we are direct
action activists and we take action against the root causes
of climate change. We’re here to share our skills with locals
and to strategise with them against the building of this road.”
The Department of Regional Development in Northern Ireland
has said the proposed dual carriageway will reduce journey
times, improve road safety and support economic growth in
the area.
Lynne Smyth, secretary of the Alternative A5 Alliance, said
- “The last thing Northern Ireland needs is another road.
Transport in this country is responsible for around 30 per
cent of CO2 emissions. Building this
road will only increase emission levels.”
Ms Smyth, who says her brother-in-law’s farm will be compulsorily
purchased under the scheme, added “It’s being claimed that
over 5,000 people have attended consultation meetings with
stakeholders since 2008 - we haven’t heard anything about
these meetings.”
A spokeswoman for the Department of Regional Development
said the department and their consultants, Mouchel, held several
public consultation days in 2008 and 2009. She said the events
have been attended by over 5,000 people.
The spokeswoman said - “We’re aware of the impact the scheme
will have on local farmers and the community and we are committed
to working with them to mitigate the effects.” She added that
the consultation process remains ongoing - “there will be
a formal consultation process in advance of the public inquiry,
during which the public may lodge comments or objections.
“These will then be heard at the public inquiry in 2011,”
she said.
Meanwhile a spokesman for the Department of Transport in
Dublin has confirmed that the Government is contributing up
to €400 million to co-fund the road as part of the Belfast
Agreement.
Source - The Irish Times
|
