Debate contribution: Storm Impact: A20 Portaferry Road

Debate contribution by Mr Mike Nesbitt on 3 February 2026.

MLA

Mr Mike Nesbitt

Party at the time

Ulster Unionist Party

Date

3 February 2026

Type

Debate contribution (made as a minister)

Business

Adjournment

Heading

Storm Impact: A20 Portaferry Road

Assembly identifier

Official Report component 5363229

Read the official Assembly record

Text

I was very interested in what Michelle had to say about a bridge. If you spoke to road engineers today, they would probably tell you that they would build the A20 down the centre of the peninsula as a spine, with the side roads coming off it like ribs. However, we are where we are. I have a great fondness for the A20. My fondness dates back to my membership of the Tufty Club. Here I look to see whether younger Members look puzzled — the Minister looks puzzled. The Tufty Club on road safety included a cycling proficiency initiative for schoolchildren, going back to the '60s — for Hansard, that is the 1960s. My reward for joining the Tufty Club was being allowed to cycle, under supervision, from Greyabbey down to Kircubbin on a wonderful, sunny, summer's day. It is a beautiful road on the shores of Strangford lough. At times, it offers wonderful glimpses of the Mournes and, of course, the iconic Scrabo Tower in the background. Sadly, it is also a road that has more than its fair share of road traffic collisions and fatalities. It starts at Teal Rocks: you are just out of the conurbation that is Newtownards on the A20, and you are into a bad bend where there have been repeated accidents. Nothing seems to be put in place to deal with that. It needs attention. Among those of us who have the honour of serving Strangford — I have that honour — and those within our local council chamber, the safety and accessibility of the road is well recognised as one of the most often highlighted local transport issues. In many respects, that is understandable, given that it is the most vital piece of infrastructure on the peninsula. Not long after I was elected, I began engaging with others on coastal erosion, along with my late friend the great Angus Carson and, latterly, peninsula councillor Pete Wray. I pay particular tribute to Sandra Henderson of the County Down Rural Community Network. She manages the Ards peninsula coastal erosion group, of which, I know, some in the Chamber are members, as I am. It is a great group and very representative: elected representatives, community representatives, local business people, government officials, Ards and North Down Borough Council and the National Trust all come together in common purpose. That group has achieved a lot. When we started, responsibility for coastal erosion was shared by no fewer than five Departments and arm's-length bodies (ALBs). We now have it down to two Departments: Infrastructure and Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs. However, I still think that we need to have a Department that leads on it. We also need to replace the coastal erosion policy, which dates back to 1967 and the secretary to the Ministry of Finance of the day, Sir Cecil Bateman. Some of us have seen that. It was typed on to an A4 page on an old Adler typewriter and had a scrawl from Sir Cecil saying, "Nothing to see here". The evidence in 2026 is that there is a lot to see here. I am pleased that the group has made all that progress, but there is much more to be done to ensure sufficient investment in the road infrastructure and a limitation of the dangers during adverse weather events. I think about the recent storm Bram, when the coastguard, as well as the Fire and Rescue Service, were called out to rescue the men, women and children who were forced to abandon approximately 30 vehicles as the storm pushed an already high tide on to the road. I am incredibly grateful to our emergency services for their efforts at that time and on the many other occasions on which they have put themselves at risk for the safety of our community. I note that the Department is planning to spend £16,000 through Translink. I note that DFI Roads has no five-year plan, and I would be very happy to see the Minister address that. I also welcome the Department acknowledging the damage at Mount Stewart and Greyabbey after storm Bram, with a promise of repair following necessary consents. However, rather than being reactive, we really need a proactive five-year-plus plan to address the needs of the A20 and the people, like Kellie, who rely on the Portaferry Road day and daily.

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

Assessment

Not flagged

Jev’s structured answers

Assessed 21 October 2026 at 14:31 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.

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