The second phase of a multi-million pound scene to close up all gaps along the notorious A1 carriageway is to be kept “viable” – but essentially put ‘on hold’ pending the outcome of the A5 appeal.
The A1 junctions aims to reduce the number of collisions on this main arterial route and will ‘stop up’ all gaps on the central reservation, the aim being to “deliver enhanced safety measures”.
The second phase of the scheme will focus on a 25km stretch between Loughbrickland and Hillsborough.
The cost of the project has been estimated at being between £120m and £130m.
However, the ongoing appeal surrounding the A5 is delaying what many see as an essential project.
It was in August that the Department for Infrastructure served a Notice of Appeal against the A5 judgement made in June.
The £1.7 bn upgrade of the road – approved by Stormont – was held up after the High Court ruled it did not comply with the Climate Change Act (NI) 2022.
Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins, confirming the appeal, said at the time: “Too many lives have been lost on the A5, and far too many have been injured. We owe it to those people and their families to use every opportunity available to us to improve road safety in this area.”
The Minister has also voiced similar thinking in relation to the A1 but has indicated a ‘wait and see’ approach pending the ongoing court action.
She provided an update in response to written questions by Upper Bann MLAs Eoin Tennyson and Diane Dodds.
In addition to closing up the gaps on the A1, the plan is for a “number of new grade separated junctions”.
Highlighting where the project is at – and in terms of moving forward – Minister Kimmins has said: “The scheme was confirmed by my predecessor as a single package of works on 2 July 2024 and a restricted list was notified to tenderers on 9 May 2025.
“I recently instructed officials to extend the restricted list for a period of 12 months to 5 February 2027, continuing to keep this important scheme viable pending the outcome of the A5 appeal.
“We have to await the Court of Appeal’s ruling, because it is important that we consider it fully when looking at the next steps for all major roads projects, as 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.”
Accepting the tragic history along this stretch of carriageway, the Minister said she wanted to see progress.
“Every death on our roads is a profound loss to the community and unfortunately the A1 is a road that has been impacted exponentially by tragic circumstances,” said Ms Kimmins.
“I remain committed to the construction of this vitally important infrastructure safety upgrade and will take all actions available to me to secure its delivery.”
