All of Ms Liz Kimmins’s imported questions, contributions and motions in this mandate, newest first, including those assessed as not flagged, uncertain or not yet analysed.
The drafting of the water, sustainable drainage and flood management Bill is complete. I tabled the Bill for discussion at the Executive meeting on 29 May. Debate took place over certain aspects of the Bill, but I hope to secure Executive approval for its introduction at the next meeting on 5 June. The legislation is…
Like everything that we are seeing on the back of the Climate Change Act 2022, lots of things have to be taken into consideration. The recent A5 case is another example. As with all such matters, where we need to undertake further consideration, make amendments or try to address issues, we will do so as required where…
As I said, we are still finalising the budget allocations. I hope that, following that process, we can look at the timelines, and I will ensure that I keep the Member updated.
I thank the Member for that important question. I fully appreciate the significance of providing those measures to the Divis and Clifton Street bridges over the Westlink. I can confirm that my officials have been finalising the detailed design contract documents and business case for the scheme at an estimated…
I am not aware of that being part of the development. I will speak to officials to see whether there are any such plans as part of the broader piece of work. I am happy to come back to the Member on that, because I recognise that, as we are trying to attract more people to use the park-and-ride and subsequently public…
I thank the Member for that question. As he will know, in October 2024, my Department issued a letter of offer of £6·6 million to Translink to provide 466 new car parking spaces with safe and convenient links to Moira train station. The project will also deliver 23 new disabled parking spaces along with secure cycle…
We could look at lots of things and say that they will bring income for the Executive, but that does not mean that we will do them. We have to look at everything in the round. The Finance Minister does not make those decisions, so her saying that does not mean that that is the direction of travel. I recognise,…
As I said, we are still considering budget allocations. I have been working with Translink, as the Member will be aware, to look at how we move forward. I hope to make a decision on that fairly soon.
Since the Belfast cycling network delivery plan was published just over three years ago, significant progress has been made on many of the short-term schemes in the plan. A scheme on Lagmore Avenue is in construction, and phase 1A of the west Belfast greenway is programmed to commence in early autumn. Work is also…
I thank the Member for raising that. In response to the issues that he raised — it is fair to say that he documented and clearly showed me the key issues about which he and his constituents have been concerned — I spoke to officials and got some updates on why that was done in the first place. The wire mesh is an…
I have met the Member on this issue. He knows that my Department has legislative responsibility to maintain roads and footpaths to an appropriate standard, ensuring the safety of all road users, including pedestrians and cyclists. That is managed through the provision of infrastructure that is designed and installed…
That question comes up quite a lot: as I have said, it is one that I have also asked as a constituency MLA. It is fair to say that funding allocations are made in the most equitable way across all DFI Roads divisions in the North. There is a complex methodology for how funding is allocated, but it is based primarily…
As I said, officials are working on a new approach to road maintenance that will focus on delivering higher-quality repairs instead of trying to spread resources too thinly. That will contribute to a more reliable and safer road network where we intervene. The use of modern technology will help direct our investments…
I came into post at the end of the financial year, so I probably do not have all the answers to those questions. The Department looks to put additional funding into road maintenance at every opportunity. It is a critical issue for all of us. We all use the roads every day, and we all recognise the huge challenges.…
I have not taken decisions on the 2025-26 budget as yet. I am in the process of considering allocations, including the allocation for road maintenance, in line with my priorities, the wider Executive Programme for Government commitments and equality considerations following the closure of my Department's equality…
As I said in my previous answers, there will be an application process. I suggest that the Member encourage residents in the areas in which a residents' parking scheme would, he believes, be suitable to apply for it through that process or through his constituency office. The Department can look at the specifics and…
I thank the Member for raising that. I could probably share a lot of examples from my area that are similar to those that the Member has highlighted. In the application process, it is important that we have quality evidence to show what will work well. As I said, I am finalising that — there is a paper with me. We…
As I said, the process for implementing a residents' parking scheme is resource-intensive. As highlighted by the recent review and given the significant budgetary constraints in the Department, I must be sure that any scheme proposed for implementation is considered value for money. Before any residents' parking…
Following the introduction of the first residents’ parking scheme in the North on Rugby Road and College Park Avenue in Belfast, my Department completed a review of the scheme and our wider approach to residents' parking. Whilst the review found that the scheme introduced on Rugby Road has been generally well received…
The strategy acknowledges the recommendations of the all-island strategic rail review and the high-level time frames that it presents up to, as the Member will know, 2050. The review provides the evidence-based framework to inform future investment in railways across the island of Ireland. This high-level strategy is…
As the Member is aware, following the debate on the pedestrianisation of Hill Street, I had a brief engagement with him and some city centre stakeholders. I am due to meet the Economy Minister and others to further explore having a better night-time service for the reasons that he mentioned. As we move through that, I…
As I said, the strategy is a significant piece of work. We are trying to ensure that it is inclusive of all the needs of our society. The transport strategy has an important role in the preparation of the new suite of transport plans by providing the overarching strategic context, consistency and rationale for…
I am pleased to advise that it is my intention to publish the new transport strategy to 2035 for public consultation in the coming weeks. In the past month, my officials provided a briefing to the Infrastructure Committee in advance of finalising the text of the document. The drafting of text is now complete, and…
As I have said, we are looking at improving safety around schools in general. I have mentioned the further roll-out of 20 mph speed limits. Included in that is our active travel delivery plan and how we link communities with schools and other facilities that are well attended. We want to encourage, in particular, our…