Member's statement: Infrastructure Deficit: East Derry

Member's statement by Ms Cara Hunter on 2 December 2024.

MLA

Ms Cara Hunter

Party at the time

Social Democratic and Labour Party

Date

2 December 2024

Type

Member's statement

Business

Members' Statements

Heading

Infrastructure Deficit: East Derry

Assembly identifier

Official Report component 4686370

Read the official Assembly record

Text

I draw attention to the continued infrastructure needs in my constituency of East Derry. On Friday, a number of my constituents who live with special needs, have physical disabilities or are older were notified that there had been cuts to the Disability Action transport team, which meant that, today — Monday morning — they could not get to their day centres. I think of one case in particular, of which I was notified this morning: a man who is 55 and has special needs will not be able to get to his day centre today as a result of the cuts. It is absolutely shocking and disgraceful, and it is totally unfair that the situation was relayed to those affected so suddenly. I thank North Coast Community Transport, which does a remarkable job in ensuring that vulnerable people across East Derry have connections and have a life. I firmly believe that any cuts to those vital community transport services are an absolute disgrace.

A key infrastructure issue in my community and constituency is the need for a Ballykelly bypass. I urge the Minister for Infrastructure to commit urgently in the Chamber to bringing forward that vital project. Actually, it has been the better part of 20 years since plans for a Ballykelly bypass were first proposed, yet, to this day, that vital project is still stuck in limbo despite the clear and pressing need to address traffic congestion. I have real concern about the emergency services and ambulances' ability to gain access, particularly when there is a potential restructuring of services at Causeway Hospital, meaning that there will be additional need to get to Altnagelvin Area Hospital. The continued absence of that bypass creates a significant impact on local residents, commuters and the broader regional economy. I think, in particular, of the public safety issue with roads, and I think today of Joyce Taggart, who tragically lost her life earlier this year, and of my friend Melanie who was in an accident just a few weeks ago. That road is really congested, and I cannot reiterate that enough. My constituents who are in the Ballykelly area are rightfully annoyed. They feel that the area is heavily congested, and, particularly when there are roadworks, they have voiced how they feel stuck in their home. A bike lane was added recently, yet they feel that that addition overlooks the dire and urgent need for a bypass. I take that road almost every day, and the need for it to be upgraded creates delays for thousands of people and commuters between Derry and Coleraine and disrupts critical connections for business. It is, frankly, unacceptable that constituents in the area have had to wait so long for that vital project. It is estimated that it will cost anywhere between £35 million and £40 million. I ask that the Infrastructure Minister recognise it as a matter of fairness and forward-thinking infrastructure planning and that he urgently commit in the House to a Ballykelly bypass.

499 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Assessment

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Assessed 21 October 2026 at 11:35 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.

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