“Farmers do not oppose progress. Investment in roads, utilities and public amenities is vital for our communities and the local economy. However, that progress must not come at the expense of fairness,” she said.

“For too long, farmers and landowners have been left in limbo - facing uncertainty, inadequate compensation and a lack of meaningful engagement while major infrastructure projects are in progress.”

The MP added: “Farmers and landowners must be treated with respect, kept fully informed, and more importantly, properly compensated in a way that reflects not only the value of the land, but the true impact of the disruption on their livelihoods and businesses.

“Land is not solely an asset on paper. For farming families, it is their livelihood, their heritage and determines the future sustainability of their farm business. When land is vested, there must be transparency, practical solutions to minimise disruption, and a system that gives farmers a genuine opportunity to replace what has been lost. At present, that system is far too complex, unclear and, in many cases, deeply unfair.”

Carla Lockhart MP explained that last year’s High Court ruling on the A5 road upgrade, brought long-overdue relief to landowners and farmers in West Tyrone.  “Those impacted have endured years of uncertainty and were unable to plan, invest or develop their farms.

“After the disruption, anxiety and financial hardship they have suffered, there is now a compelling case for fair compensation - not only for lost income and stalled plans, but for the immense personal strain this process has placed on families,” she added.

The Upper Bann MP continued: “While the quashing of the Vesting Orders is welcome, serious questions still remain. Farmers want to know when their land will be returned, whether it will be restored to its original condition, what compensation will be provided for years of disruption. There must also be clarity as to who authorised works to continue while legal proceedings were ongoing.

“These are not minor administrative matters - they go to the heart of fairness, accountability and trust in government. I will be pressing the Stormont Infrastructure Minister for immediate answers, and for a comprehensive review of vesting rules across all projects in Northern Ireland. Compulsory vesting should never be the default option, irrespective of the type of road scheme or development.



“Farmers deserve transparency. They deserve certainty. And above all, they deserve a system that is balanced and fair,” she concluded.