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.”
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“I do not have the information at hand about the specific residential schemes that you have mentioned. We are progressing with a couple of residential schemes, and I discussed those with officials last week. <BR /> <BR />The current policy, which came into force in 2007, has been an issue to date, and I have tasked officials to look at it. There is demand in many areas for these parking schemes, and we need to meet that demand in a number of areas. We will need a policy that equips us with the legal arguments to take cognisance of objections but move ahead in a fair-handed way.”
“I do not want to say anything outside the negotiations that are going on with landowners — I certainly do not want to spoil those waters — but I think that, in the weeks ahead, the Member will be delighted with the announcement. The people of Derry are looking forward to the project. It has been touted for some time, and, as I said, we look forward to delivering it. When I am in Derry on Thursday to speak to officials, I will be keen to hear what progress has been made.”
“I will be in Derry later this week to talk to officials about the plans for the transport hub. It is an exciting project. Negotiations with landowners about the specific site are in progress and, I believe, are, thankfully, coming to a close. We will make an announcement on that in due course. <BR /> <BR />A transport hub for Derry, like a transport hub for Belfast, has the potential to be a real catalyst for economic growth in both regions. I am certainly excited by that prospect.”
“I thank the Member for his supplementary. All this boils down to being straight with the people. If you are opposed to domestic water charges, you have to stand up and, where it counts, have to be there to play the ball. I am aware of a recent Sinn Féin motion in the Dáil to discuss the issue, and some parties ran away from the responsibility. Outside the House, they campaign against domestic water charges, but, when it really matters, they run away. I am proud to say that this Executive continue to oppose domestic water charges. We do not flip-flop on the issue. We say that we oppose domestic water charges, we do oppose them and we continue to oppose them.”
“Yes. Recently, the Agriculture Minister, Michelle McIlveen, and I presented a joint paper to the Executive, which received the Executive's support, on continuing our policy of no domestic water charges for local people. We have been clear in the Executive about continuing our opposition to water charges. We told the people that we would continue to oppose domestic water charges, and we have done so.”
“The Member may want to pick up the issues of rate relief or assistance on this with the Finance Minister. I think that I am right in saying that, in particular circumstances, certain traders have, at times, gone down this avenue. If the Member wants to raise anything with me or to discuss any particular works, he can certainly feel free to do so.”
“I came into post in May and was not involved in any of the planning stages. I have looked at the impact of some of those works to date, and I believe that there has been a considerable increase in those using public transport to get from East Belfast to the city centre. We need to take stock of the impact of these works in the round. I have no doubt that works can be troublesome, especially for traders, and, as we approach the Christmas period, we need to see as much work completed in advance of that as possible. I am happy to look at the issues in the round. If there are specific needs to address as the works advance ahead of, as you mentioned, the introduction of the rapid transit scheme in 2018, I will be happy to correspond with the Member on any issue.”
“Again, it is not for this House but for our counterparts in Dublin. Councils also have a big role to play, as they have done magnificently so far. The memorandum of understanding between Louth County Council and Newry and Mourne District Council and the leadership that chief executives have shown in recent years have been very important. The Narrow Water bridge project is important, as are our large infrastructure plans for the southern relief road, which would be of huge benefit to the town of Newry. There are big plans for that part of the world, and I hope to do all that I can in the years ahead to advance them.”
“I am absolutely determined that this is a project we will see delivered.”
“As, I think, was pointed out by your colleague, another one-word answer, of course, is, "Maybe." There are other one-word answers we could go for. We are constituency colleagues, and we know very well the huge significance that this project would have in unlocking tourism and economic potential in the north Louth and south Down areas. I am working actively with people in the South and with my Government colleagues in the South to advance this project. Officials, North and South, are sitting down with the Narrow Water bridge stakeholder group this week and next week to advance proposals. We have to take into consideration that the environment we operate in has changed since 23 June, but that does not mean we cannot do all in our power to deliver these sorts of projects.”
“I have an open door, and I will speak to everybody and anybody over the next number of years about how we can advance in a very strategic way a number of our infrastructure projects. I will be turning more specifically to Mid Ulster and the Cookstown bypass in the Adjournment debate this evening. I think that is timely. It is a project with merit. I, along with Francie Molloy MP and various MLAs, met the delegation to discuss the need for the bypass in Cookstown. Coming from an area like South Down, I am only too aware of this; we have a county town in Downpatrick that suffers similarly. Our manufacturing industry is calling out for the likes of these distributor roads, which I think could unlock economic growth in areas outside Belfast. As I said, it is a project that I want to advance over the next number of years.”
“I have spoken to a number of stakeholders right across the construction industry. The message on coming into post was very clear: the year-on-year budget allocations and one-year budgets are not sustainable going forward. When we look at large-scale infrastructure capital projects, we see that we need to get as much strategic and long-term thinking as possible involved. That is certainly why the forthcoming four-year capital budget will give us the ability to think a wee bit more strategically about our capital projects. I know the industry is very content that that is the way forward.”
“I had not planned to do so, but, in the light of some of the other issues we will be discussing, I am more than happy to. There is a transport sectoral meeting happening shortly, and I am more than happy to raise it under the heading of any other business.”
“This is something I am certainly more than happy to look at. I have not looked at it yet, and it is not sitting with me at the minute. We have a number of services that are vital to their communities, whether it is the Rathlin Island service or the Strangford lough service. There is an undoubted potential to link the north coast with the Wild Atlantic Way. You talked about the Magilligan ferry: it is certainly an issue I am more than happy to correspond with the Member on.”
“Yes. Whilst many of us jump to the very quick conclusion that we want dual carriageways and motorways everywhere, very often two-in-ones and passing lanes are very successful in alleviating congestion, especially in rural settings. That is something that I am more than happy to give consideration to.”
“However, development of that significant project has been deferred owing to financial constraints. <BR /> <BR />The upcoming revision of the regional strategic transportation network transport plan and the development of local transport plans in conjunction with councils’ local development plans provide the opportunity to refresh the strategic roads improvement programme in line with the latest technical evidence, local development pressures and the Programme for Government priorities of economic growth and social equality. <BR /> <BR />I am keen for my Department to progress the A29 Cookstown eastern distributor scheme. I am engaging with officials about progression of the scheme’s development to the next stage, the publication of the draft statutory orders and the environmental statement.”
“The A29 North/South link corridor extends from Portrush through Dungannon and Armagh on to the border with County Louth. The section from Coleraine to Armagh is a trunk road. The strategic road improvement programme was established through the regional strategic transportation network transport plan and enhanced by the investment delivery plan for roads in 2008. That programme includes the A29 Carland bridge realignment scheme, which my Department has delivered at a cost of £5 million, and the A29 Cookstown eastern distributor scheme. <BR /> <BR />The A29 Cookstown eastern distributor involves construction of approximately four kilometres of new single carriageway from the Dungannon Road roundabout south of Cookstown to a proposed new roundabout on the Moneymore Road at the north of the town. The preferred route was announced in 2010.”
“There are a number of roads — up to 65 — in the Fermanagh area benefiting from various road maintenance works. I was on site just beside the Share centre last week, looking at some of the works that are progressing. If the Member wants to correspond on any particular road, I am more than happy to do so.”
“The preferred alignment for the A4 Enniskillen southern bypass was announced in June of last year. Work is ongoing to prepare the environmental statement and the draft statutory orders. It is anticipated that those will be published in 2017, which may lead to a public inquiry. Subject to the successful completion of statutory procedures, construction of the bypass will be dependent on Budget allocations awarded to my Department.”
“The direction order was made in March 2016, which affords the route alignment planning protection. The scheme at Kilgortnaleague involves the realignment of approximately 2 kilometres of single carriageway, and it is anticipated that it will cost in the region of £7 million. It is hoped that Transport NI will be in a position to identify the preferred alignment for this scheme in 2017. <BR /> <BR />I have tasked my officials to begin drawing up a new suite of transportation plans, covering key parts of the road network, including the A32, and this work is ongoing. This will set out a long-term programme of investment and provide an opportunity for all strategic road projects across the North, including upgrades to the A32, to be considered for future funding.”
“The A32 Omagh to Enniskillen improvement strategy includes a number of improvement schemes to enhance the transport links between the towns and improve access to the new acute hospital in Enniskillen. The main focus is to upgrade the worst sections of the route to improve comfort for ambulance services and to reduce journey times. Schemes at Shannaragh and Drumskinny have been completed at a combined cost of approximately £10 million, and two further schemes are currently being developed at Cornamuck and Kilgortnaleague. <BR /> <BR />The Cornamuck scheme involves the provision of 1·4 kilometres of realigned single carriageway and is estimated to cost in the region of £6 million. A public consultation into the draft orders and the environmental statement for this scheme has recently been completed, and no significant issues were raised.”
“I thank the Member for his question. I can clarify that the speed limit was previously 20 mph before the legislation. I am not aware of any specific legislation detailing the number of vehicles that can build up behind a tractor before it should pull in. Coming from a rural community, my experience is that our farmers are very much part of the community. They do not want to be the cause of long tailbacks, and, very often, they do find a suitable place to pull in. Long may that tradition continue.”
“There are a number of pieces of legislation, and we will keep the issue under constant review. As technology advances, it would only be right to do so. I will have to correspond with the Member. I do not have the information about the weight.”
“Following consultation in 2015, the former Department of the Environment introduced new regulations that increased the technical road speed limit of agricultural tractors from 20 mph to 24·8 mph. These regulations came into force on 18 April 2016. The consultation was well supported, and the increase in the speed limit took account of the design capabilities of modern tractors. The new regulations align the speed limit for agricultural tractors in the North with those in the rest of Europe and ensure that farmers here are not disadvantaged. Although the consultation document suggested that further increases in tractor speeds were being considered, I currently have no plans to further increase construction road speeds for agricultural tractors.”
“I do not have the specific figures on claims in front of me. This issue has been in the press over recent months, and I will be keeping a focus on it in the time ahead.”
“I thank the Member. Let him rest assured that the Department is not moving potholes about. Unfortunately, there is a considerable backlog in road maintenance. An awful lot of roads, especially in rural areas, certainly require maintenance, and it is something that I will prioritise over the years ahead.”
“Following June monitoring, the Department embarked on a £10 million rural road initiative to address the rural roads in the worst condition and therefore help to reduce a backlog of rural road resurfacing and repair needs. It is estimated that around 1,000 locations on the rural road network will be improved. The funding was allocated to the four Transport NI divisions on the basis of need, using a range of weighted indicators. Northern division got £2 million; southern division got £3·5 million; eastern division got £500,000; and western division got £4 million. Work is well under way, with around 350 locations receiving intervention thus far.”
“Transport NI, the Department and I have to prioritise on the basis of need. When you break areas down into a list, one part of the world will be bottom of the list and another part will be top. With that in mind, I do not want to suggest that the Member's constituency, by any way of sorts, is losing out. It is a reflection of need. As I have laid out, criteria are set for the divisional managers and teams to assess this. Be under no illusions: there is no sleight of hand. I have no doubt that the Member's constituency is well represented by active Assembly Members. As I said, the Department looks at need, and I have no doubt that the constituency will receive money on an equal basis.”
“Work on those schemes is now well under way. <BR /> <BR />I assure the Member that I will continue to discuss with Executive colleagues the requirement for additional baseline funding for structural maintenance as part of the next capital budget.”
“The information collected, along with consideration of a number of other factors including road usage, general surface condition, structural deformation, public inquiries and public liability claims, is used in the preparation and prioritisation of Transport NI’s annual reconstruction and resurfacing programme. These programmes are subsequently presented by Transport NI to the various councils at their spring and autumn meetings. <BR /> <BR />I am pleased to say that additional capital funding was prioritised by the Executive for structural maintenance as part of the June monitoring round. I listened to concerns about the deterioration in rural roads, and I announced a £10 million package for rural roads initiatives to target maintenance measures at around 1,000 locations on our rural road network.”
“My Department undertakes an annual programme of carriageway reconstruction and resurfacing works commensurate with the availability of financial resources. Article 8 of the Roads Order 1993 places a duty on my Department to maintain all public roads and footways in a safe and serviceable condition. To this end, Transport NI operates a system of regular safety inspections to ensure that essential response maintenance is identified and completed as necessary. <BR /> <BR />In accordance with its policy document, 'Road Maintenance Standards for Safety', Transport NI inspects the condition of public roads.”
“I thank the Member for her question. I receive lots of advice day and daily. One of the drawbacks of having a social media account is that there are lots of experts telling you what you should do and which projects deserve more money than others. It is something that we take on board. My Department is stacked with officials who are experts in their field, from greenways to developing road and rail infrastructure. I listen to advice day and daily, and never more so than in setting out my priorities for addressing the infrastructure deficit west of the Bann. You have only to talk to Members who travel daily from the west into places like Belfast to know the real need to move forward in a balanced way.”
“Yes, certainly. I referred to the greenway project and the strategy. A large section of the greenway will connect to existing greenways in the neighbouring counties of Donegal, Monaghan and Cavan and in Louth in our part of the world around Carlingford lough. The Ulster canal, the A5 and the Narrow Water bridge are outlined in the Fresh Start Agreement, but we also have a great opportunity to expand our rail connections and look at the Derry to Dublin rail infrastructure. Where possible, we should look to join up the great work of our local ports. There is a great relationship between our ports, and that is something that we will look to enhance in the years ahead.”
“I am more than happy to consider any project if it has the advantages that you have outlined, such as opening up the north-west to tourism and economic growth. However, I have no plans to progress any dualling schemes on the carriageway that you have mentioned.”
“I thank the Member for her question. I can confirm that none of these projects will be sacrificed so that smaller priority projects, as the Member outlined, can go ahead. There is no doubt that the recent European referendum result has cast doubt and has created fresh challenges and hurdles that the Department would rather not have had to face. That is something that I have to take stock of when I look at my priorities going forward.”
“I thank the Member for her supplementary question and for her compliment about being astute. With that in mind, let me continue to be astute. I will certainly endeavour to do all that I can to ensure that projects such as the Narrow Water bridge, the Ulster canal and the A5, as outlined in the Fresh Start Agreement, progress as we all would wish.”
“Finally, progressing North/South projects such as the Narrow Water bridge and the Ulster canal will be a key priority in the years ahead, as set out by the Fresh Start Agreement. Following the recent North/South Ministerial Council plenary, which was held in July, officials North and South have been engaging with stakeholders associated with both projects to advance construction and to source suitable funding. I met the Narrow Water bridge campaigners in Warrenpoint in the summer, and I recently co-chaired the newly established Ulster canal advisory forum with Minister Heather Humphreys.”
“<BR /> <BR />I am very keen to promote active travel and will shortly publish a strategic plan for greenways. It will set out an ambitious 25-year plan to develop a greenway network right across the North. My plan will aim to give people ready access to a safe, traffic-free environment for health, active travel and leisure. I want significant investment in greenways during the current mandate. Developing the greenway network will contribute to several PFG outcomes through delivering active travel infrastructure, reducing congestion, improving air quality and providing a safe and accessible recreational resource for healthier, active lifestyles.”
“The Executive's Programme for Government (PFG) is focused on outcomes that will support a prosperous economic future for all the people of the North. The Executive have already committed to the delivery of four flagship infrastructure projects: the A5 and A6 major road schemes, the Belfast transport hub and the Belfast rapid transit programme. I have been clear that my top priority is redressing the infrastructure deficit, particularly in the west. Projects like the A5 and A6 are critical to addressing that historical imbalance. Regarding the latter, I was delighted to announce recently the £160 million investment in the Randalstown to Castledawson phase, making a difference for 18,000 commuters daily. Advance work has now begun, and I will monitor the progress of the project very closely indeed.”
“I want to take greater stock of the assessment of the pilot before we consider rolling it out right across the North. You referred to the complaints. As of 26 September, there were 268 complaints, typically in relation to reduced lighting levels and the level of light spilling into residential gardens. All complaints received are individually recorded and assessed, with lighting levels checked against the required standards. An assessment of the lighting levels at each of the sites found that 199 were within the appropriate levels that the Department aims to provide, and 69 were, indeed, adjusted to come up to that level.”
“The pilot also allowed my Department to gain direct experience of how it can best deliver the necessary surveys, the design specification of LED equipment and the procurement of the equipment, as well as to assess the LED technology in a wide range of residential scenarios. <BR /> <BR />I acknowledge that concerns have been raised by residents, elected representatives and councils about the loss of generalised lighting to the front of houses, gardens, pathways and front doors. However, it is the Department's responsibility to light adopted roads and footways only. In all, it has been a worthwhile pilot that delivered on its aims to provide savings and a better understanding of LED street lighting.”
“In 2014, the Strategic Investment Board carried out a review of street lighting. It recommended that my Department implement a pilot project to retrofit sodium street lighting units with LED replacements in response to the ongoing street lighting resource pressures to achieve energy and maintenance savings. It was agreed that the Craigavon and Banbridge areas would be used as a representative pilot. <BR /> <BR />The completion of the LED pilot has seen the replacement of over 15,000 sodium street lighting units with new low-energy, long-life LEDs that produce good-quality white light. It is estimated that the LED pilot will provide annual savings of around £360,000 in electricity, carbon and maintenance costs for an investment of around £3 million.”
“The Member referred to the Kinnegar Road. Changes were made recently to the signal timings for the pm peak between Redburn Square and the Esplanade to allow easier egress from Redburn Square turning right towards Bangor. On the specific question on the Rathgael Road, I do not currently have any plans to look at what the Member is asking for, but, as I said to Mr Chambers, if the Member wishes to correspond with me on that, perhaps we could look at options for the time ahead.”
“I thank the Member. Indeed, there is also a very unfortunate situation with fatalities on the A1. I know that Members are well aware of the urgent need to upgrade the likes of the A1. We have a £50 million safety plan in place over the next number of years to address that. Whilst the A2 does not receive the same amount of attention with regard to previous fatalities, the issue is on the horizon all the time. We keep road safety on all our major roads under review, but there are no current plans to look at this. The Member referred to the Sydenham bypass. These upgrades would be in the region of £40 million to £50 million, so it would be a significant investment. As we go forward looking at different capital projects, that is something I have to bear in mind.”
“I thank the Member for his question and his interest in road safety. I do not have specific information to hand on the two junctions, but let the Member be aware, if I can put him at ease, that road safety is a priority for me and my Department. We constantly keep road safety on all our roads under review. The A2 is a busy road, and, as I said, it carries 45,000 vehicles a day. If there are issues like that on which the Member wants to correspond with me, he should please feel free to do so.”
“That is now at the third stage of a three-stage development process. <BR /> <BR />At this time, the Executive have identified a number of flagship projects, where indicative funding has been agreed for future Budget periods. Unfortunately, the Sydenham bypass upgrade/widening is not one of those projects, and its progression is dependent on the availability of finance through future budgetary settlements.”
“The A2 Belfast to Bangor road is part of the strategic road network and carries around 45,000 vehicles a day. 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 A2/Ballyrobert Road and A2/Ballymoney Road have been taken forward to detailed design. Progression of those schemes will, however, be subject to the satisfactory completion of the statutory processes, the availability of funding in future years and prioritisation. <BR /> <BR />My Department also has a proposal in its strategic road improvement programme to upgrade the Sydenham bypass between Dee Street and Tillysburn from a dual two-lane carriageway to a dual three-lane carriageway.”
“Those who are breaking the law in that manner need to realise that their neighbours will not tolerate that sort of antisocial behaviour. <BR /> <BR />In conclusion, the use of scramblers and quads as a leisure activity can be exciting and fun, and a number of clubs and societies across the North can give out information about where to pursue the hobby lawfully and safely. People need to stop taking risks with their own lives and those of the community around them. We must not lose sight of the pain and suffering caused by those who use these vehicles illegally without any thought of the consequences or concern for others. We must take action to address the matter now, and my Department and I will do our part.”
“All too often, parents buy these vehicles for their children without giving any thought to where and how they will be used. The vehicles are not toys and, as we have seen, can be lethal weapons if not used considerately and in line with the law. <BR /> <BR />I want to widen the awareness effort and will work with the Justice Minister to explore what we can do jointly on the development of a campaign targeted at parents who have purchased or may be thinking of purchasing a scrambler or quad for their children, particularly in the run-up to Christmas. I am also keen to raise awareness that it is a community issue and that we can all help to make a difference. If you see someone riding one of these vehicles illegally, please call 101 with a description of the bike and the rider.”
“I thank the Chair of the Committee for his remarks. Indeed, this will have to be done in partnership, not just between MLAs and government but, of course, with our councils, which are very often the landowners and control the land that a lot of this is taking place on. I am more than happy to work in conjunction with the Justice Minister and councils as we go forward. <BR /> <BR />At my meetings with Ms McCann and the Justice Minister, we also discussed the development of an awareness campaign. I note that the policing and community safety partnerships have already taken a step in this direction with the publication of an advice and information leaflet that sets out the law. It also contains a section aimed at parents, and that is vital.”