The Department for Infrastructure has provided an update for over 300 landowners whose land is being vested as part of the construction of the Strabane to Ballygawley section of the A5 Western Transport Corridor.

Two years ago the 55 km (34-mile) stretch of the proposed new dual carriageway from Junction 8 (south of Strabane) to Junction 15 (near Ballygawley) – known as Section 2 and Section 3 Phase 1B – was given the green light by the former roads minister John O’Dowd.

Lands were subsequently vested to allow the road project to proceed, however, vesting orders were quashed in the High Court in June 2025.

Earlier this month this was overturned at the Court of Appeal, which cleared the way for the road project to proceed.

Providing an update this week the Department of Infrastructure said it recognised the ‘uncertainty that landowners, their families and businesses affected by the A5 Western Transport Corridor have faced over a prolonged period’.

"Since the High Court judgment in June 2025, officials have continued an extensive programme of engagement with landowners. Every affected landowner has been offered the opportunity to meet individually with the project team, while officials have maintained regular contact through direct correspondence and engagement with landowners and their appointed professional agents.

“The Department also meets regularly with the Ulster Farmers’ Union, including at senior official level, and this engagement has continued following the recent Court of Appeal proceedings.

“The legal proceedings and the quashing of the Vesting Orders disrupted the normal compensation process and delayed access to compensation funding for some affected landowners. Any claims arising from evidenced financial impacts will be assessed independently by Land & Property Services on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the statutory compensation framework.

“The Minister has given a commitment that major construction work will not commence on any lands until after December 31, 2026. Any necessary activities before that date remain limited to surveys and other essential preparatory work,” DfI said on Monday.

DfI said that while it awaits the formal order giving effect to the Court of Appeal judgment of October 6, 2026, ‘officials will continue to engage and update affected landowners as the position develops’.