High Court ruling lifts injunction on the construction of the Friendship Connector Road
Scarborough, Tobago – March 19th, 2024 – The Friendship Connector Road project has been given the green light for continuation, as a High Court injunction that temporarily halted its construction was lifted by agreement today.
The injunction was initially granted after Derek Hearn, a resident of Friendship Estate, claimed that the construction had damaged his property and lacked necessary approvals. However, the court’s decision to lift the injunction followed the Tobago House of Assembly’s (THA) assurance to avoid Hearn’s property, including various structures and an organic farm, until the substantive court matter is fully addressed.
The THA had argued that halting the project incurred significant economic penalties and deprived the people of Tobago of a vital road. They also asserted that the construction did not require specific approvals as it involved upgrading existing roads, falling under the purview of the THA as the Highway Authority.
This case follows a similar injunction related to Environmental Management Authority (EMA) approvals, which was also lifted earlier, indicating a complex legal landscape surrounding major infrastructure projects in Tobago. The resumption of the Friendship Connector Road is a significant development for the island’s transportation network.
