Chris Hazzard
South Down · Sinn Féin · Northern Ireland
“The order I am bringing forward extends the power for my Department to pay a grant to NI Water in lieu of domestic water charges. The current powers to pay a grant will expire on 31 March 2017, and the Water and Sewerage Services Act 2016, which was passed by the Assembly in January last year, provided the power to extend that date by an…”
“I thank those Members who have commented on the motion this evening. Some general issues and several specific points have been raised. <BR /> <BR />I will turn first to Mr Farry's question: why, for the period of time?”
“I am delighted that the Alliance argument around water charges does not chime with more of the electorate and that the particular reason does not hold sway, because this Executive certainly are not for turning on this issue. There will be no water charges for domestic customers, and we have ensured that.”
“<BR /> <BR />The second point that Mr Farry raised was around governance issues and the way forward. They are all issues that I have given thought to and that, I have no doubt, would have featured in the mandate in the time ahead, but we are not at that point today. The Assembly is about to be dissolved.”
“However, the imminent dissolution of the Assembly means I have decided to bring the draft order here today. <BR /> <BR />The grant provides NI Water with the funding to enable it to maintain drinking water supplies and deliver sewerage services.”
“I believe that this order will reinforce the Executive's commitment not to bring in water charging for households, and I thank the Members for their support.”
The complete record
Every one of 1,028 lines we hold for Chris Hazzard, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 5 of 21.
“The North/South Ministerial Council (NSMC) has agreed a phased approach to the restoration of the Ulster canal. Phase one of the restoration of the south-western stretch of the Ulster canal from Lough Erne to Clones is under way and covers the 2·5 kilometres from Lough Erne to Castle Saunderson. That is expected to be completed in 2017. It is planned to issue a tender shortly for the next stage involving the construction of Derrykerrib bridge and the canal section. That will enable commencement of construction in spring 2017, with an estimated contract period of 18 months.”
“<BR /> <BR />We only have to look at what is taking place in the west of Ireland with the Great Western greenway, which brings in tens of millions of euros to local communities that, until this point, were on their knees economically — small regional towns that are now coming back to life. There is no reason that we cannot do the same in the North.”
“Absolutely. If I take my part of the world, south Down, two of the proposals would link the highly sought-after tourism area of Newcastle and the Mournes with the Connswater area. I have no doubt that the local council, working alongside Belfast City Council, will want to develop tourism potential along that route. That was the route used by the old Belfast and County Down Railway. It was a highly popular route for tourists to travel by train, not just to the north Down coastline but, as I said, into the Mourne area. I have no doubt that that type of project will be able to reawaken some of that tourism value in the area.”
“Absolutely, if there is merit in doing so, and I have no doubt that there probably would be merit in doing so in a number of locations. One of the great strengths of greenways projects is that we connect all parts of the North to our large towns and cities. As I said, they can be truly transformative projects and community spaces for individuals and communities across the North. I do not have any particular plans for bicycle-hire schemes outside Belfast — they are an item for Belfast City Council — but I am more than happy to look at them if the Member wants to bring plans forward.”
“<BR /> <BR />Funding for greenways is also available through the INTERREG programme, and I expect that a number of the cross-border projects may well be successful in securing financial support. For future years, I have some capital funding in my departmental plans, and I will seek to secure capital funding on top of that. There is no doubt that money is tight, but we must ask ourselves this question: can we afford not to invest in greenways? Although roads projects very often hog the limelight, greenways and other active-travel initiatives are truly transformative projects for communities, as well as personally for individuals.”
“The first element of funding is the 20 schemes that I have supported through a small grant of £8,000 towards the cost of a feasibility study along each route. So that is £160,000. Following receipt of the feasibility studies, up to four of the highest-quality proposals will be offered a grant of up to £25,000 to develop the detailed design further. Although that is only a small amount of funding, it will help councils to start the work of developing their local schemes within the framework for the strategic plan for greenways. <BR />The strategic plan sets out a vision for the next 10 years, and there is a need to develop scheme plans over the next two or three years.”
“Alongside the plan, I announced 20 small grants to councils under the small grants programme for greenways, whereby I am providing a grant of up to £8,000 towards the cost of a greenway feasibility study. Providing support to councils in the development of greenways helps to increase safety for people using bikes, which is a key objective in the bicycle strategy. The use of active travel is also an aspiration in the Programme for Government, and better designed greenways are important in laying the foundations for longer, healthier, more active lives.”
“The plan provides a framework to assist councils to develop their own local schemes as part of a greenway network for the North. It proposes a primary greenway network and a secondary greenway network that link together the entire region. It also includes cross-border links from Derry to County Donegal, Enniskillen to Sligo, Armagh to Clones and Newry to Dundalk. That is the first step towards creating a world-class greenway network that will be a welcome investment in rural development and active travel, providing for leisure and recreation, creating long-term employment and entrepreneurship opportunities and enhancing opportunities for tourism. <BR /> <BR />The strategic plan is not just about words and intentions.”
“Last week, I published 'Exercise Explore Enjoy: A Strategic Plan for Greenways', which sets out my vision for:”
“I see what he has done there. No, I think that, when it comes to parking especially, instead of having a patchwork approach to it by councils, central government still needs to take a strategic view of parking policies. When we take into account that on-street parking especially can have such an impact on traffic flows and congestion and that my Department is responsible for a strategic way forward on that, it is important that we have all the tools at our disposal. I certainly think that, working alongside local government, we can come up with policies that are fit for purpose.”
“Where there is a charge levied, that has been set at £30 per resident's permit and is intended to cover the cost of the scheme design and the enforcement needed to stop others from outside the area parking there.”
“The policy for the introduction of residents' parking schemes was introduced in 2007 by the then Department for Regional Development. Since that time, despite considerable effort, no schemes have been implemented, due largely to a lack of local support from the residents concerned. Despite that, my Department is developing residents' parking schemes in Derry and Antrim as well as the two Belfast schemes in the College Park Avenue/Rugby Road area and lower Malone area. In line with the current budgetary constraints faced by all Departments, those schemes will generally have to be introduced on a full cost-recovery basis that will require a charge to be levied for a parking permit. The exception to that is any scheme lying either wholly or partially in a neighbourhood renewal area, which will be exempt from the permit charge.”
“I would rather try something and have it not work, and go back to the drawing board and try again, than sit with nothing because we cannot get total agreement on the way forward.”
“The next step is that I will make an announcement later this week. Without prejudicing what I will say later this week, I will leave it at that. As I outlined to the previous Member, we need to do more. Objections can stall some of these projects and literally put a dead hand on them, and that is not just with regard to parking schemes but also significant safety upgrades such as the A26. <BR /> <BR />We need to find a way to engage properly, of course, with objectors and to listen to people, but we need to find a way to move forward, especially with residents' parking schemes. From 2007 until now is far too long to wait for some of these schemes to come live. Certainly, I will be doing all I can in the years ahead to ensure that we move forward with something.”
“We need to see leadership from local political reps to drive some of these particular schemes forward.”
“I agree entirely with the Member. I am disappointed, as the legislation was introduced in 2007, that at this stage, nine years later, we are looking at the situation that we are only on the verge of introducing our first parking schemes. We need to do more. Certainly, I have set my officials the task to do more and to approach this in a problem-solving mood. We need to overcome objections, not just simply shelve something because of objections. <BR /> <BR />The figure for Donegall Pass was around a 14% response to initial consultation, with Pakenham Street being about 18%. We need to see a greater consultation and engagement with local communities. Of course, political reps have a role to play in this; to be out front and to lead it. I am aware the Member is trying to do that in that particular area. We want to see more of that.”
“A scheme for the Pakenham Street area is dependent on the successful implementation of the initial residents’ parking schemes outlined before.”
“I can confirm that my Department is actively working towards introducing residents’ parking schemes. As you may be aware, earlier this year I announced the start of a consultation period with residents in the Rossville Street area of Derry for a residents’ parking scheme. You will also be aware that my Department has proposals for schemes in the lower Malone and College Park Avenue/Rugby Road areas of Belfast. I hope to make an announcement on these schemes later this week. <BR /> <BR />Transport NI officials are aware of a number of requests for a residents’ parking scheme in Pakenham Street and have recently discussed this issue at a meeting with the Member and the Donegall Pass Community Forum and local residents.”
“I thank the Member. Certainly, as a former Minister, he will be well aware of the need for all Departments to look at and explore the ways in which we can increase the potential and ability of our arm's-length organisations and government companies to do what they can to deliver. There is no doubt that there are huge challenges, especially on the resource side, for a number of our bodies right across government, not just in my Department. We need to be innovative and creative around how we go about doing this. <BR /> <BR />NI Water has ambitious capital plans, not just for the city of Belfast but right across the North, which will take it into the hundreds of millions if not billions of pounds over the next number of years. I have started discussions with NI Water officials to see how best we can meet those demands in the years ahead.”
“I thank the Member for raising this. Whilst I am not specifically aware of the particular site and river the Member is referring to, I am more than happy to correspond with him about it. It is very clear that whilst we have had a huge decrease in these instances over the years, we must do as much as we can, and certainly go as far as we can, to ensure these types of pollution incidents do not occur, and we need to take all available steps to do so.”
“If additional capacity or alternative arrangements are required, it will carry out any remedial work required. The company has also undertaken to survey drainage plans at waste water treatment work sites where processed chemicals are being used to ensure that the pipework configuration enables all spillages to be contained within the site.”
“I thank the Member for her question. I was in China at the time of the spill that you refer to. I liaised closely with the Department's officials on what sort of clean-up programme was put in place, and I met NI Water officials on my return to find out. <BR /> <BR />Following NI Water's detailed investigation into the pollution incident at Annsborough — obviously, we are both alluding to Annsborough waste water treatment works — NI Water has undertaken to examine the dosing pipe arrangements at all other waste water treatment works where liquid storage units are being used and replace plastic pipe fittings with stainless steel fittings as appropriate. NI Water has also checked the spill protection provision at all sites where processed chemicals are used.”
“<BR /> <BR />Targets for reducing the number of high and medium pollution incidents are set by the NI Authority for Utility Regulation as part of the price control process, which involves consultation with the Environment Agency. Year on year, progress has consistently been delivered by NI Water in this area, outperforming the targets set. NI Water has invested nearly £500 million over the last three years specifically to improve the sewerage network system and waste water treatment works. With ongoing investment, NI Water will continue to improve waste water services for the people of the North.”
“My Department provides the necessary funding and investment to enable NI Water to carry out its water and sewerage functions whilst protecting our environment. The Executive’s current one-year Budget for 2016-17 has allocated, through my Department, £147 million for investment in water and sewerage services. <BR /> <BR />Since the creation of NI Water in 2007, continued investment in waste water treatment has resulted in significant improvements in the level of compliance with environmental discharge standards. NI Water is very mindful of the important role it plays in the protection of the local environment and operates an environmental management system to minimise the risk of chemical discharges from its assets.”
“I can add that my Department has long-term plans to improve a number of the junctions along this route to improve road safety. A route study was carried out on the A2 in 2011, and a number of junction improvements were identified. Two particular schemes at Ballyrobert Road and Ballymoney Road have been taken forward to detailed design.”
“<BR /> <BR />I recognise that public representatives have raised their concerns about traffic progression and collisions at a number of junctions. We receive many requests, and I can advise that there is a process in place whereby engineering staff review collisions with the PSNI with a view to identifying any common causes that could be addressed by engineering measures.”
“It is important that we also touch on wider transport issues. I can advise Members that the numbers of passengers using the train service between Bangor and Belfast have increased significantly, especially at peak hours. There has been an increase of some 20% in passenger journeys over the past five years alone. That reflects the growing importance of our rail infrastructure serving commuters in this part of the world. We often go to improve the roads and road safety, but, sometimes, the answer is off the road and in different modes of transport. We can do more on that between Bangor and Belfast. There is an appetite in north Down for various types of transport, and the answers to some of these problems may lie there.”
“This live, up-to-the-minute programming of signal timings ensures that the road operates at its maximum efficiency. The control centre also provides live traffic information via the Trafficwatch NI website and on social media such as Twitter so that road users can be informed of the decisions and plan their journeys more effectively.”
“There is also a comprehensive programme of inspection and maintenance to ensure that the road surface is maintained to a high standard. <BR /> <BR />My Department’s traffic control centre also plays an important role in monitoring the road from a safety and traffic progression perspective. The control centre is generally operational from Monday to Saturday and also operates on Sundays, as required, to handle traffic disruption in response to planned roadworks, events or anticipated increased traffic flows such as in the run-up to Christmas. Staff at the control centre monitor a number of CCTV cameras along the A2 between Belfast and Bangor and use this information, based on actual traffic flows, to continuously update traffic signal timings at the junctions along the route.”
“<BR /> <BR />Members will be aware of the many measures that have been introduced to improve safety along the A2, including the three grade-separated junctions at Holywood Exchange, the Folk and Transport Museum and at the junction with the Bangor ring road. We have also installed signals to control the traffic at 12 of the 25 larger junctions to improve safety and traffic progression. There are a large number of coloured high-friction surfacing zones, which also serve to highlight the proximity of junctions and to improve safety. These measures, along with the speed limits and a wide-ranging programme of traffic signs and road markings all along the route, serve to enhance and improve the safety of the A2 along its entire length.”
“<BR /> <BR />Members will be aware of the many measures that my Department has taken to educate road users with the intention of reducing collisions and injuries on our roads. The statistics serve to reinforce the messages from the Share the Road to Zero initiative and the importance of the responsibility that drivers have to take care for themselves and other road users. That is a message that I would like to reiterate today as we move into the winter season, with darker days and inclement weather affecting visibility. Driving conditions will be more difficult, so extra caution will be required by everybody using our roads.”
“However, as I did at the outset, I can assure those families affected that my traffic engineers will engage fully with the PSNI to consider whether there are any viable measures that could be introduced to avoid collisions of a similar nature in the future. Road safety will always be a priority for this Department. <BR /> <BR />Over the past three years, there have been 85 collisions recorded at the 25 road junctions along the route. From the information received from the PSNI, the vast majority of collisions result in injuries that are classified as "slight", and the cause of these collisions fall into these three main groups: 30 were attributed to driving too close, 17 to the driver's attention being diverted and 24 to drivers not taking care, which means emerging onto the road or crossing, turning or changing lane on the road.”
“There are average-speed cameras along the entire length of the road, and these bright yellow structures serve to make motorists aware of their presence. I think that it is pleasing to say that they have had such an effect in the north Down area. Having said that, it remains a very busy and intricate route, which demands full attention from those making their way, especially at peak times. <BR /> <BR />Regarding safety, I am sure that we all recognise the collisions that have occurred on this road, including the two tragic fatalities that happened this year. There are investigations ongoing, and it would not be appropriate for me to comment further at this time.”
“This one-mile stretch has a plethora of accesses, with seven junctions, five of which are signalised, and there is also a pedestrian-controlled crossing close to Seapark Road. <BR /> <BR />The next section, between Cultra and Ballyrobert, is three miles long with a 50 mph speed limit. There are 11 junctions, four of which are signalised. The final stretch is the two-mile long dual carriageway from Ballyrobert to Bangor, where the national speed limit applies. <BR /> <BR />With such a large number of junctions and traffic signals in a relatively confined stretch of road, it is obvious that the balance of safety and traffic progression is a difficult one to accomplish, but it is a balance that my Department’s Transport NI works daily to achieve.”
“After this, the road is a two-lane dual carriageway continuing past Holywood before reducing to a single carriageway with four lanes to the east of Holywood at the junction with Whinney Hill. The character of the route changes from here, with the presence of a number of private accesses and a series of signal-controlled junctions. This continues to Ballyrobert, where there is a second length of dual carriageway, which continues to the grade-separated junction with the West Circular Road at Bangor, which is also known as the Bangor ring road. I appreciate that most people in here probably know that better than I do. <BR /> <BR />The speed limit varies along the road. The national speed limit applies to the two-mile stretch of dual carriageway between Tillysburn and Holywood. There is a 40 mph speed limit between Holywood and Cultra.”
“As has been mentioned, the road carries in excess of 45,000 vehicles per day and upwards of 5,000 vehicles per hour at peak times. It is obviously a very busy road and one of the key routes on our trunk road network. <BR /> <BR />I would like to clarify that I have taken this debate to concentrate on the stretch of the A2 in the North Down constituency between Tillysburn and the Bangor ring road, a stretch of just over eight miles. As has been pointed out, the road has four lanes along most of its eight miles, and a proportion of this is dual carriageway. Travelling from west to east from the junction with the A55 outer ring at Tillysburn, the road is a three-lane dual carriageway to the Holywood Exchange grade-separated junction.”
“I am not aware of anything that has been done to date on that particular one. <BR /> <BR />With regard to development and bringing more houses in, and there was reference to MOD plans etc around Kinnegar, we know, and it happens in other places, that planning conditions can be put in place to say that, if there is going to be a huge increase in houses, there needs to be improvement to the road as well. So, that is something that we are more than happy to look at going forward. <BR /> <BR />As I said, if I have missed anything out, I am more than happy to review Hansard, and if any Member wants to correspond with me to raise anything, feel free. <BR /> <BR />As Minister for Infrastructure, I am very aware of the strategic importance of the A2 Belfast to Bangor road.”
“<BR /> <BR />Steven Agnew and Stephen Farry also touched on speeding and driving practice. It is important to stress here too that that is an issue for the PSNI. There could be engagement with the PSNI if you are saying that there are habits of speeding in that particular corridor, and if drivers' practice is not what it should be that should be addressed. It is important to remember — it is in no way a reflection on those who sadly lost their lives — that we know that 95% or more of fatalities and serious road accidents are caused by the driver and the driver's practice and a mistake or whatever made by the driver. It is nothing to do with the road or how a road is engineered. So, we should bear that in mind also. <BR /> <BR />I am more than happy to pick up the issue of Ballyrobert garage with officials afterwards.”
“<BR /> <BR />Alan Chambers talked a little bit about the Craigantlet roundabout, and there is a particular case in point. There are competing priorities in the North Down region that the division is looking at, so if money is taken from one area and put to another, things will suffer and areas will lose out, but the A2 and the need to upgrade safety is very much on the horizon. <BR /> <BR />Mr Chambers and Steven Agnew mentioned the importance of segregated cycling lanes. I will look to work with the local council in the North Down area, especially on that corridor between Belfast and Bangor. I publish my greenway strategy tomorrow, and part of that is different schemes in that particular part of the world that I think will go some way to alleviating that problem because more can be done in that regard.”
“I congratulate and thank the Member for raising the issue. At the outset, I will touch on a few remarks just in case I do not get time to get to them at the end. I will be more than happy to review Hansard if I miss any and go back to officials with them. <BR /> <BR />To start with Justin McNulty's point, road safety is absolutely a priority of mine. Every couple of weeks, when I see the statistics coming into my office about fatalities and serious accidents, it is personal to me. I had a younger brother who went out one night and never came home. He was killed in a road accident. So, road safety is absolutely a priority for me, and it has been for my Department and for previous Ministers. Be absolutely assured that whatever we can do on road safety, we will do.”
“On a point of order, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker. That is not true.”
“Sorry, I want to finish this. At the heart of the motion is a seriously misguided logic. The four pillars of the motion collapse under even a cursory examination of the evidence, leaving the motion entirely unworkable, unmanageable and full of unintended consequences for our attempts to improve traffic flow and to breathe life into town centres. <BR /> <BR />In conclusion, I am happy enough to look at a review; it is certainly something that I will take forward. However, my review will be based on the principles of evidence, focused on reforms that work in the interests of managing limited on-street spaces effectively, improving the flow of traffic, and conducive to town-centre growth and vitality.”
“Again, to go back to the remarks of Philip Smith, and this gets to the heart of the discussion, the motion is a tactical error to a strategic problem. There is a certain validity in looking at the strategic issue of on-street car parking and the way forward, and that is certainly something that I am happy to do. At the heart of the motion —”
“I thank the Member for his intervention. The Member has flagged up why there is worthiness to a review, but we should have a review that looks at all the issues and not simply, "Let's reduce parking fines". Let us look holistically at all the issues to see the best way forward. <BR /> <BR />Another issue raised was that, somehow, this is a cash cow for the Department and that it is about raising money for the Department. In the years ahead, certainly while I am Minister, I hope that no PCNs are made. I hope that people park within the law and that there is no revenue at all coming from this area for the Department. <BR /> <BR />It is the same with bus lanes. I hope that people do not have to pay the sort of money.”
“It is not accurate to suggest that there are not sufficient flexibilities in the system.”
“The Member is being misleading. There is a 10-minute observational period. A person coming back after five minutes will be totally fine because there is a 10-minute observational period. The observational period has to come to an end; we cannot have it being 20, 25 or 30 minutes as you start eating considerably into another hour. There is a 10-minute window, and there is flexibility in the system. <BR /> <BR />You can appeal, and there are three stages. You can challenge, and it is dealt with within 14 days of receipt of the PCN by the parking enforcement unit; the second stage is representation, which is dealt with between days 14 to 30 by the enforcement unit; the third stage is appeal, which is dealt with by the parking penalty tribunal. There are flexibilities, and each appeal is considered on its merit.”
“I am sorry, but I want to go on. Members complained about the black-and-white nature of this, but it is because we are talking about laws: if it is illegal to park in a certain fashion, it is illegal to park in a certain fashion. <BR /> <BR />Many Members touched upon — this will be part of any review — the need to look at a differential penalty system. Parking two or three inches outside a parking bay should not carry the same weight as blocking a main arterial route into the city. I am more than happy to look at that. Certainly, for me, that would be part of a wider review that the amendment calls for.”
“The comments of both Kellie Armstrong and Philip Smith helped to shine a light and bring a bit of reason to this debate, especially those from Ms Armstrong with her background in community transport. I listened with great delight to an awful lot that the Member said. The central message was that you get a fine only if you park illegally; if you do not park illegally, you do not get a fine.”
“I thank the Member for her intervention. Again, it raises an important point.”
“The Member mentioned improving the flow into our cities but the DUP is suggesting here today that we take away or reduce one of the tools we have to deter people from parking in urban clearways and main arterial routes — the £90 or £45 charge. I know that £15 has been thrown out by the DUP today but, if we reduced it to that, I would be very worried at the impact it might have on urban clearways and main arterial routes.”