The Department for Infrastructure has issued an update on the situation facing more than 300 landowners whose land is to be vested for the first phase of the A5 Western Transport Corridor (Section 2 and Section 3 Phase 1B).

The Department acknowledged the prolonged uncertainty experienced by affected landowners, their families and businesses.

Following the High Court judgment in June 2025, officials have continued extensive engagement, offering every landowner an individual meeting with the project team and maintaining regular contact through direct correspondence and via landowners' appointed professional agents.

The Department also meets regularly with the Ulster Farmers' Union, including at senior official level. This engagement has continued after the recent Court of Appeal proceedings.

Legal proceedings, including the quashing of the Vesting Orders, have disrupted the usual compensation process and delayed access to compensation for some landowners. Any claims supported by evidence of financial impacts will be independently assessed by Land & Property Services on a case-by-case basis under the statutory compensation framework.

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The Minister has committed that major construction will not begin on any lands until after 31 December 2026. Until then, activity will be limited to surveys and other essential preparatory work.

The Department recognises the important role of professional agents supporting landowners and will meet reasonable professional fees associated with that representation.

While the Department awaits the formal order giving effect to the Court of Appeal judgment of 6 October 2026, officials will continue to update and engage with those affected as matters progress.

A Questions and Answers page to help landowners understand the current position is available at www.infrastructure-ni.gov.uk/articles/a5wtc-website-updates-following-court-appeal-judgement and will be updated as further information becomes available.

The A5 Western Transport Corridor will deliver 85 kilometres of new road, including 82 km of dual carriageway, from New Buildings to the border at Aughnacloy, improving links between Strabane, Newtownstewart, Omagh, Ballygawley and Aughnacloy and providing a strategic connection to international gateways. The scheme is divided into three sections with contractors appointed for each. Its objectives include addressing regional imbalance, enhancing the economy and connectivity, and ultimately saving lives. The project has undergone three public inquiries and faced four legal challenges, adding pressure to costs and programme timelines.