Michelle McIlveen
Strangford · Democratic Unionist Party · Northern Ireland
“Public confidence depends not only on effective enforcement but on enforcement being exercised fairly and consistently. <BR /> <BR />There is widespread concern across Northern Ireland about the condition of many of our lakes and rivers, and there are a vast number of factors that contribute to water quality challenges.”
“Although we support the overall direction of travel, I think that is appropriate to reflect on the concerns that have been raised and ensure that the legislation is proportionate, practical and capable of delivering its intended outcomes.”
“If we are therefore serious about improving our aquatic environment, every source of pollution must be addressed. New legislative powers are meaningful only if the Department has the resources, the expertise and the personnel necessary to implement them effectively.”
“There is, however, a need for accompanying clear guidance and support and for regulatory consistency and prompt decision-making. Delays, uncertainty and excessive bureaucracy will undoubtedly discourage investment and undermine confidence in the sector.”
“Subordinate legislation should not become a substitute for proper democratic accountability. Consultation and engagement must be undertaken before regulations are introduced, and I cannot overstate the need for stakeholder engagement. <BR /> <BR />I will now talk about the Bill's proposed enforcement powers.”
“The DUP broadly welcomes the Bill. As has been said, it provides an opportunity to modernise legislation that, in some areas, has remained largely unchanged for decades. The Bill strengthens the protection of our fisheries, improves the regulatory framework for aquaculture and enhances the management of our water environment.”
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“I thank the Member for his question. I met him recently to discuss a range of issues, particularly in the Newry and Armagh area, and I am also aware that he met local Transport NI officials to address his concerns. <BR /> <BR />As I said in response to previous questions, road maintenance is a priority. Since coming into office, I have ensured that money has been directed to that, along with other maintenance issues. I would like to think that, before the end of the term, he will see the benefits of that additional money. I admit that it is not enough, but it will go some way to address the areas of concern.”
“I thank the Member for his question. Of course I would like that to be the case. As he said, I visited the Connswater greenway. It really is something very special, and I recommend anyone who has not had the opportunity to see that work as it progresses to go to the area. In the first instance, I see opportunities for enhancements in lighting on the Comber greenway and for better signage and links to communities off the greenway. I want to explore the best way to do that and, for the Comber greenway in particular, greater links with councils. I have given my support to a Sustrans application for EU funding to increase usage of the Comber greenway, and I hope to see the benefits of that.”
“The Comber greenway has potential, given the large catchment area and the links to the new Connswater Community Greenway, which I also had the opportunity to visit recently.”
“I thank the Member for his question. That greenway is close to my heart, given that it falls within my constituency. There is tremendous potential in developing greenways across Northern Ireland, and not just the Comber greenway. I am keen to harness that potential to deliver a network that provides safe and convenient traffic-free routes in order to increase sustainable travel and opportunities to improve health and well-being by using recreational areas such as that. I was recently in Edinburgh and Holland, where I was able to see what they have made of their greenways and their potential. <BR /> <BR />I am developing a strategic plan for greenways across Northern Ireland.”
“I thank the Member for his question. As he has identified, some alterations are proposed to the lough walk area. However, it is my understanding that my Department intends to ensure that there is public access to that area, and that will be maintained. Obviously, there is an opportunity for that to be raised during the consultation process. I am happy to speak to my officials about the area in question, and I will then write to the Member.”
“I thank the Member for his question. Obviously, the money will go some way towards correcting and addressing the issues in Fermanagh. The Member is right that it will not rectify all the problems in Fermanagh, but at least it will start to make some headway towards it. Additional moneys may be sought during various monitoring rounds for other roads that are identified. At this stage, we are still identifying roads that require work. You will be aware that previous works helped in the past. I know that not all road works were successful, but the majority of roads remained open as a result of previous works. Like other Executive members, I plan to be in Fermanagh on Thursday, when I hope to meet engineers at a number of those sites to discuss the issue further.”
“I thank the Member for his question. My Department has received over £1 million to develop a package of road improvements across Fermanagh and other parts of Northern Ireland to mitigate future flooding. Over 50 roads were flooded in the Fermanagh area during the most recent flooding. Three main crossings of Upper Lough Erne are considered to provide the greatest public benefit, and funding is initially being targeted towards those schemes. The three schemes are as follows: the B55 Wattlebridge Road; the C436 Inishmore Road; and the B127 Newbridge Road. My officials are looking at options and costings for the engineering of those schemes.”
“To justify the track dualling earlier would require a sufficiently robust business case and consideration of impacts across the whole rail network. There is also a question of timing. Reconstructing the viaduct to take a twin track will most probably require an extended period of line closure, which brings with it its own difficulties.”
“However, to operate a new station on the line at this location will require the existing single-line Dargan viaduct to be reconstructed to twin track. That is because a delay to each train on the single line section for services from Larne and Londonderry could not be justified. A recent review indicated that the single line across the Dargan viaduct will be sufficient for projected passenger growth well into the next decade.”
“I recognise the importance of supporting this development, and, clearly, public transport will be critical. I recently met officials from the University of Ulster, and I understand that it is working closely with Translink. Future plans to encourage students to access the new campus by public transport will include a range of direct bus services, discounted ticketing options and a wide range of promotional activity. Currently, Yorkgate rail station has capacity to deal with greater numbers of passengers. Translink will improve bus links from the station and is working with Transport NI on improved walkways and cycleways. <BR /> <BR />Translink has also looked at the possibility of providing a new station at Gamble Street.”
“My Department, as you will understand, is in regular contact with the taxi service, and that will continue through this project.”
“<BR /> <BR />A timeline for this is very much dependent on the success of the first phase of the Belfast rapid transit network and available funding for it. However, subject to those caveats, an outline provisional timeline for the extension to north Belfast is as follows. In 2017-18, the options assessment will be prepared. In 2018-19, a business case will be prepared and, following assessment, the first phase will be commenced. In 2019-2020, there will be the detailed design and implementation, and, by 2022-23, I hope that it will be operational.”
“My Department has not yet identified the preferred route option for the extension of BRT to serve north Belfast. As with the first phase of BRT, which is being implemented, the route options will be subject to detailed analysis and public consultation. There are a number of potential route options in north Belfast, which include Shore Road, Antrim Road and Crumlin Road. Obviously, the success of a high-frequency and high-occupancy rapid transit system relies on achieving significant patronage levels. Whilst the route has not yet been identified, it appears that, based on current bus patronage levels and the potential for future growth, the Antrim Road is likely to emerge as the preferred option.”
“The model will enable my Department to assess potential options for the extension of Belfast rapid transit and to prepare a business case for the extension of the system to north and south Belfast. Any future extension of the system will, of course, be subject to the availability of funding. My Department is continuing to engage with those responsible for current and proposed developments on potential future routes for BRT, including the Department for Social Development and the University of Ulster, to ensure as far as possible that the future provision of Belfast rapid transit to those key areas is not prejudiced.”
“I am fully committed to the delivery of Belfast rapid transit (BRT), including not only the current phase but future extensions to the north and south of the city. Belfast rapid transit is a transformational public transport project for the city. It represents a great opportunity for Belfast going forward and is a major undertaking by my Department in support of an Executive priority. <BR /> <BR />To assess the viability of potential Belfast rapid transit routes to north and south Belfast, my Department has already undertaken surveys. The results of those, along with passenger information and existing data sets, are being used in the development of a new transport model for Belfast.”
“I thank the Member for her question. There have been six personal injury collisions at that junction during the most recent three-year period when PSNI collision data is available. Three involved cyclists and motorcyclists, both considered to be vulnerable road users. There have been no reported collisions involving pedestrians during the same period, but TNI will be carrying out a review of the safety of that junction with emphasis on vulnerable road users. I recognise that that is a busy junction, and obviously it is local to the Member. Any formal crossing facilities would have to be carefully sited so as not to be too close to junctions or to compromise private entrances. Normally, they take the form of puffin or toucan crossings and, at some sites, there are zebra crossings. I hope that answers the question for the Member.”
“<BR /> <BR />TNI considers all such requests for controlled pedestrian crossings against set criteria that take into account the speed and volume of traffic and the demand for pedestrians and vulnerable users to cross a road at a particular location. Usually, surveys will be carried out to determine the peak demand for crossing movements. On occasion, even where the criteria are met, it can be difficult or impossible to provide a crossing at the desired crossing point, and it may be necessary to locate it a short distance away. Where a controlled crossing is not deemed necessary but there is sufficient demand, measures such as pedestrian refuge islands and dropped kerbs may be considered instead.”
“My Department has no current proposals to provide a pedestrian crossing at that roundabout. The layout already includes facilities to assist pedestrians crossing, including pedestrian refuge islands with lowered kerbs, along with tactile paving for the visually impaired. However, I am aware that a site meeting between Transport NI officials and local elected representatives has been arranged for later this month to discuss difficulties that a disabled resident is experiencing when crossing at that junction. The meeting will allow Transport NI to consider possible measures to improve conditions for pedestrians crossing at that busy junction.”
“I thank the Member for his question and for the fact that he recognised that we have moved forward with this legislation, which has been widely welcomed. At this stage, I am unaware of the detail of what may be brought in across the water, but I will certainly advise my officials and ask that that be considered while we are going through the process of the Bill.”
“It is likely that that could lead to another public inquiry into the scheme. As a result, we have tentatively programmed this in for autumn 2016. It is very much subject to the completion of the procedures, and moving forward from there. It is difficult at this stage to anticipate what may come up during those consultations, but I am certainly keen to ensure that as many issues as possible are resolved in advance of a public inquiry.”
“I thank the Member for his question. As you will be aware, I announced the start of a new set of consultations on the new draft statutory orders and new environmental statement for the scheme. The current consultation exercise formally commenced on 16 February and will conclude on 4 April.”
“The website has supported the overall consultation strategy for the project, providing an additional means by which statutory, public and private stakeholders have been given access to scheme updates and announcements. <BR /> <BR />My officials are not aware of farming groups living along the proposed A5 dual carriageway route, although some landowners have chosen to involve the Ulster Farmers' Union. Officials have met the Ulster Farmers' Union generally and as and when requested by individual landowners. I also met the Ulster Farmers' Union only last week to discuss the A5 scheme and the Land Acquisition and Compensation (Amendment) Bill. In December, I invited the landowners' agents to meet me to discuss their and landowners' concerns about the scheme.”
“There has been an extensive process of consultation with all those affected by the A5 western transport corridor scheme since its inception in 2008. It has taken a number of forms, including a number of public exhibitions at key design stages; regular updates to directly affected landowners through meetings and by letter at key stages in the development of the scheme; and formal consultation with over 30 statutory authorities and organisations as part of the studies and assessments that have been undertaken during the preparation of the orders and environmental statement for the scheme. That includes the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Northern Ireland Environment Agency and the Loughs Agency. In addition, the scheme has a dedicated project website — www.a5wtc.com — and an 0845 telephone contact line.”
“I thank the Member for his question. Having held this position before, his party will be acutely aware of the challenges in relation to that. It is well known that a stitch in time saves nine, and it is important to put as much money as possible into the maintenance of our roads. A study says that we need to put in approximately £141 million per year to sustain our network. There is a backlog, and there will continue to be a backlog, but it is incumbent on all of us to ensure that money is focused on this area.”
“I do not think that we need the QPA to tell us that there has been a shortfall; we are all acutely aware of the challenges in our constituencies. I have regular conversations with the QPA, and it is aware that, since coming into office, I have bid for additional money and have tried to do the best that I can in a very short time. I know that that adds pressures to the industry. It adds to pressure on families when workers have to go across the water to find work. Again, that impacts on our local economy. It is my job and that of others in the Assembly to ensure that we prioritise money in the right direction, and road maintenance is one of those areas.”
“The relatively mild winter has also allowed some funding that had been set aside for winter service to be redirected. I am pleased to say that, since the beginning of January, an additional £3·2 million of resource funding and £2 million of capital funding has been reprioritised for essential maintenance activities, such as street lighting, patching, gully emptying, road markings and resurfacing. That is good news. It will help the local economy, as well as local councillors and MLAs.”
“Since coming into office, I have been focused on the appropriate use of the remaining budget and on ensuring that internal efficiencies have been made. All my Department's budget lines and areas of expenditure have been reviewed to ensure that as much money as possible has been available for high-priority activities such as patching and street-lighting maintenance. We have looked at removing all non-essential expenditure on administration, and that has generated savings. Staff overtime has been significantly reduced, being permitted only when it is required to deliver prioritised services. <BR /> <BR />Additional savings have been generated from the voluntary exit scheme through a combination of increased staff numbers and staff leaving earlier than originally planned.”
“Be assured, however, that road maintenance is something that I take seriously, and I have been trying to get additional money for it.”
“The time taken can range from it being repaired within one day to it being put into a programme of works for the next time that the route is having substantial repairs done to it. Those systems and procedures have been tested by the courts. <BR /> <BR />Regarding the type of bitumen that is used, the Member has shown a certain degree of expertise. My Department carries out repairs using methods that are recognised by the industry. The traditional repair method is to use hot bitumen and spray injection patching. On occasions, as the Member indicated, where high-priority repairs are required, the cold layers will be used, but that is a temporary measure and is in place only until further works can be carried out in the area.”
“I thank the Member for his question. Obviously, he has a great deal of experience with pothole repairs. I could nearly offer him a job in Transport NI. <BR /> <BR />The Member will be aware that there is a duty on my Department to maintain all public roads in a reasonable condition. That is subject to available resources. The maintenance standards for safety are in place, and they are designed to ensure a consistent level of service. Standards and procedures have been established for the frequency of road inspections. They depend very much on traffic volumes and specific response times for the repair of defects. I, like everyone else in the Chamber, will be aware that there have been issues with response times, but it very much depends on the severity of the defect.”
“In addition, my Department received a resource allocation of £16·5 million in the November monitoring round to enable road maintenance activities, including winter service, to be provided. This has enabled a reduction in the backlog of street lighting and pothole repairs and additional gully emptying to be undertaken.”
“However, a 5·7% reduction on DFI's overall resource budget presents a challenging position for delivering services across the Department. Together with my officials, I am taking forward a detailed analysis of all activities that impact on the resource budget for DFI. This will ensure that budget is allocated to maximise service delivery across all aspects of the Department, which will obviously include road maintenance activities. I expect this review to conclude in the coming weeks, at which point budgets will be confirmed to all business areas. <BR /> <BR />In the current year, 2015-16, the budget for capital structural maintenance is currently £39 million.”
“The budget for the Department for Infrastructure, as agreed by the Executive in January, provided a capital allocation of £46 million for roads structural maintenance, which I welcome. This will allow for increased expenditure on maintaining the condition of the existing network and reduce the cost of maintenance in future years. However, capital structural maintenance is only one element of the roads maintenance programme. A number of roads maintenance activities are funded through the resource budget. These include street lighting inspection and maintenance, pothole repairs, grass cutting, gully emptying, and weed spraying. These are important aspects of road maintenance in ensuring public safety. <BR /> <BR />A resource allocation of £20 million was provided for roads maintenance in Budget 2016-17, which again I welcome.”
“I have been informed that the review is substantially complete and will make a number of recommendations for action along that section of the A26, including at the site of the most recent tragedy.”
“I thank the Member for his question. I take this opportunity to express my sympathy and condolences to the family of the young woman who was tragically killed on the A26. You will appreciate that it would be inappropriate for me to comment on the circumstances of that tragedy. However, there has been a review of safety around the A26. That review included an examination of all the collisions that have occurred in the last three years, up to March 2015, for which details are available. Transport NI officials have also met PSNI staff — traffic safety officers — on site to discuss possible engineering and enforcement measures that not only seek to reduce the severity of collisions but should reduce the likelihood of them happening in the first instance.”
“I am hopeful that I will hear about the public inquiry quite soon. I am not clear on whether that will be before purdah. As for the earliest date for construction, it is possible that it could be early 2018. The estimated cost associated with that is around £40 million to £50 million. Again, it is subject to that funding being made available.”
“I thank the Member for his question. The cost is estimated to be in the region of £1·25 million. As I said to Mr Lunn, funding has been set aside for the scheme. There will be a four-leg roundabout at the junction, and, in addition to the junction improvement, there will be road realignment, a new footway on the approach from Lisburn, a 34-space park-and-share facility and traffic islands.”
“I thank the Member for his question. I, too, am very aware of that junction as it borders on my constituency, and I use the route often. I am also aware of the collisions there. All tenders returned by the closing date will be assessed, and the most economically advantageous will be identified. Funding has been set aside for the scheme, and it is hoped that it will commence in the spring.”
“My officials will then address the inspector’s recommendations and prepare a report for my consideration. Having considered all of the issues, I will decide how the scheme should proceed. The decision will be conveyed in a departmental statement accompanied by the publication of the inspector’s report. Subject to a satisfactory outcome, the notice of intention to proceed and the direction order will also be published. Progression to construction remains subject to the approval of the business case, clearing the statutory procedures and funding being made available to my Department.”
“Two schemes are being developed for the A24. I am pleased to advise that my Department has invited tenders for the proposed junction improvement scheme on the A24 Carryduff Road at Temple. Construction is expected to commence in spring 2016, subject to the successful completion of the tendering and land acquisition processes. <BR /> <BR />A public inquiry into the proposed A24 Ballynahinch bypass concluded on 27 January. The inspector will now consider all the evidence and prepare a report, which will normally include synopses of the Department, supporters and objectors' cases, details of related questions and answers, the inspector’s considerations and the inspector’s recommendations. It is likely that, as normal, the completed report will be submitted to the Department for consideration within several months.”
“I beg to introduce the Land Acquisition and Compensation (Amendment) Bill, which is a Bill to amend the Land Acquisition and Compensation (Northern Ireland) Order 1973 to provide for additional payments for loss following the compulsory acquisition of land.”
“I thank the Member for his question. A project is ongoing to modernise the blue badge application process, and that is similar to the system that is available in the rest of the United Kingdom. This should make the application process much easier and less susceptible to fraud, and it will make all aspects of application easier with regard to renewal and duplicate requests being available online. This is all good news moving forward.”
“I thank the Member for his question. I am more than aware of the issues around delays in processing blue badges. The blue badge unit has been given additional staff to help deal with the backlog of applications, and I am pleased to say that the backlog has reduced quite considerably from over 8,000 applications to 4,602 at present. Staff are dealing with assessed applications that were received in early December 2015 and the automatic eligibility applications that were received on 30 December 2015. At present, the new application can be completed online. I also want to assure the Member that my understanding is that those badges are still valid while the new badges are being processed.”
“I thank the Member for his question. My understanding is that the exploration project at Woodburn has been designed to prevent liquids on site from soaking into the ground below it, thereby protecting the local water courses and ensuring that there will be no adverse impact on the Woodburn river and the dam's catchment. Northern Ireland Water, as the licensed public drinking water provider, has a duty under drinking water quality legislation to assess all potential risks to drinking water sources in the catchments and to put in place appropriate sampling and, where required, any possible mitigation measures. Northern Ireland Water has advised that it is satisfied that the proposed work will have no detrimental impact on the impounding reservoirs or the public water supply.”
“I thank the Member for his question. Northern Ireland Water owns the land at Woodburn forest, and it has agreed to lease a small portion of the forest for the drilling of the well. This work will be undertaken by an independent company under a licence, which, as the Member said, has been awarded by DETI. Planning functions, as he is aware, transferred to local government with effect from 1 April 2015, and the issues of permitted development rights and any requests for a certificate of lawful use of development are the responsibility of the local council planning department. In this instance, the council responsible is Mid and East Antrim Borough Council. I understand that all work will be subject to the approval and agreement of the council, DETI, and DARD's Forest Service, which owns the trees and manages the land as a forest.”
“My understanding is that phase 3 will take place in and around 2020 or 2021. The project would have to be established in order to take phase 3 forward, and it would be after phase 2 is complete. That is still on the cards to be looked at.”
“I thank the Member for his question. I visited the halt at Bellarena to see the progress on it. I understand that it is on schedule to be substantially completed by the end of this year.”
“At this time, the priority has been in Fermanagh and in areas around the A1 and Portadown. I will get back to you about South Down.”
“I thank the Member for her question. The severe weather has taken its toll on all our roads, not just those in South Down. We have a duty to keep all public roads in reasonable condition, and, despite budgetary constraints, the Department has been trying its hardest to keep roads open and in good condition. I ask the Member to contact me if there are particular roads in her constituency that she feels need to be attended to. I will certainly look into it and give her a response.”
“I thank the Minister for her question. Obviously, this matter is a priority in Fermanagh. However, the pace of the development of all major road schemes is very much dependent on financial resources and, at this time, the Executive's priority is being given to the A5, A8, A6, A26 and the Magherafelt bypass. So, while it is a priority, it has other projects ahead of it.”