Nichola Mallon
North Belfast · Social Democratic and Labour Party · Northern Ireland
“I have had the very moving opportunity to meet families who have tragically lost a loved one on that stretch of road. That was an important opportunity for me to hear at first hand their experience and the experiences of the local community as they try to go about their everyday business while living in close proximity to a key transport…”
“I take safety on our rural roads very seriously. My Department continues to be actively committed to improving safety on our roads and to work closely with our road safety partners to deliver a programme of road safety education, engineering and enforcement activities.”
“I thank Mr Muir and all the members of the Infrastructure Committee for very constructive working relationships. At times, those working relationships were tense, but they were always very constructive — I mean that.”
“It was important to me to take forward the motor insurance legislation to try to protect people against a hike of up to £50 in their motor insurance premiums. Members will be aware that I took the decision to freeze any hike in public transport fares.”
“That commenced a consultation process that is open until 6 May. I encourage anyone with an interest in this significant project to make their views known during the consultation period. <BR /> <BR />In advance of the major upgrade, it is important that we do what we can to improve road safety.”
“I have announced my intention to extend the concessionary fares scheme to provide free travel for people with disabilities who currently pay half fare and to new operators who have already indicated or expressed an interest in joining. I am aware that many people with a disability have limited travel options.”
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“She is absolutely right that rail is key to growing our all-island economy and that we will flourish when we have clean, sustainable infrastructure — and that that infrastructure is rail. She is right to show that passenger numbers have increased exponentially over the past number of years; a number of Members pointed that out. That is inevitable when you think of the most scenic route that is the line between Belfast and Derry. As Mark Durkan said, if you build it, they will come. We all need to have that ambition for our rail network. <BR /> <BR />Ms Anderson asked about the need to improve our existing services and expand them through phase 3. As she will know, I am pleased that, working with Into the West, which is an important partner in devising the terms of reference, we have been able to shave six months off the feasibility study.”
“We are in unprecedented and hugely challenging times. It is at this very moment when creativity and ambition are most needed. Delivering an ambitious rail programme requires vision, investment and determination. I can assure you all that I have that determination and commitment to work in partnership with you and with partners right across the island as we deliver the radical change that the rail network on our island needs. <BR /> <BR />I have addressed a number of Members' points but, in the remaining time, I will very briefly turn to specific points that Members have raised. Ms Anderson talked very passionately about how things were when it comes to rail, how it was abandoned and the dereliction that has ensued.”
“All-island connectivity should excite us all, not least because it better connects our communities in a more sustainable, cleaner and greener way, but also because it opens up huge potential for our economy. The new regional strategic transport network transport plan will also set out the priorities for future development of the main road and rail networks up to 2035. Consultation on this plan will provide the opportunity for Members to make proposals on extending the rail network even further. I look forward to further engagement with them on the plan in the weeks and months ahead. <BR /> <BR />In closing, I want to reaffirm that I have real ambition for rail on our island. It is an untapped resource and opportunity to boost economic growth and tourism and, as Members have said, tackle the climate emergency.”
“Members will also now that I recently announced that Derry will be included in the high-speed rail feasibility study. <BR /> <BR />The New Decade, New Approach commitment did not extend to the north-west, and that was simply not acceptable to me or my counterparts in the Irish Government. I am absolutely delighted that Minister Ryan and I, at the recent North/South Ministerial Council meeting, confirmed that we would develop a feasibility study of a potential high-speed rail connection between Derry, Belfast, Dublin, Limerick and Cork as we seek to create a spine of connectivity on the island and work collaboratively to tackle regional imbalance.”
“<BR /> <BR />However, more needs to be done to address historical underinvestment in the north-west. That is why I have committed to a new feasibility study to get phase 3 of the Derry to Coleraine rail line back on track, and I have ring-fenced funding for that work to be done at pace. That will ensure that all future spend is fully informed by a robust business case and that there is high-level assurance on costs and on risk and benefit realisation. That will include working with Translink, Into the West and councils to examine within the new feasibility study the options of new halts and associated park-and-ride facilities at Strathfoyle, Eglinton, City of Derry Airport and Ballykelly. It will also examine the possibility of introducing half-hourly services from Derry.”
“We have to be ambitious enough not just to protect it; we have to grow it. <BR />That needs to be our collective ambition in the Assembly and Executive. <BR /> <BR />In recent years, my Department has invested over £100 million in major rail projects in the north-west. That included phases 1 and 2 of the Coleraine to Derry track relay project, totalling over £70 million, and investment in the north-west multimodal transport hub, which Members referenced, amounting to over £27 million. My Department also invested £68 million in new trains that will help to increase capacity across the network, including on the Coleraine to Derry line. In addition, £474 million is being spent to upgrade the A6, and the projected cost of the A5 is £657 million.”
“For too long, though, we have not been ambitious or courageous enough. We have to think bigger, not least now because we need to tackle the climate crisis, grow our island economy and improve connectivity, not just across the North, but right across this island, as many Members who contributed to the debate rightly recognised. <BR /> <BR />Members have shown their enthusiasm, and I really do share that. However, we have to work together, as Ms Anderson and others said, if we are to achieve the change that we desire for our communities. Investing in infrastructure is critical if we are to move forward on our ambitions. We cannot just stand still and maintain our public network, which is a huge challenge in the face of COVID and a dramatic reduction in passenger numbers and income.”
“That has, understandably, led to a sincere feeling among people in the north-west that they have been left behind. That is why it is important that I assure Members that I will not be a Minister who leaves the north-west behind. Since coming into office, I have been clear that my priority is addressing regional imbalance, better connecting communities and, importantly, ensuring that we shape our places around our people, for our people and with our people. <BR /> <BR />There are many benefits to investing in our rail network. Transport underpins our quality of life and chances of economic success. Our rail network plays a key role in making the North a more attractive place to visit, live, work and do business. That means giving people and businesses more and better choices about when, where and how to travel.”
“I thank Ms Anderson for securing this Adjournment debate on railway connectivity in the north-west, which she and many others in Derry are passionate about. I listened with interest to the comments made and points raised by Members. <BR /> <BR />While we may have political differences and different viewpoints on many issues, it is clear that rail unites people across all political parties. I believe that people have a deep emotional connection to rail, and we should aspire to do more on it. I am committed to doing that during my tenure as Minister. <BR /> <BR />It is true that the people of Derry and the north-west have waited for far too long for investment in rail. Members are right when they talk about the starkness of the rail map and the stark imbalance between east and west.”
“I thank the Member for her question. I receive mixed feedback on that, and a number of Members, across the House, have told me that they receive a very effective and efficient response. If Members feel that they are not getting a satisfactory response, I encourage them to contact my private office, and I will look into it. I will take the issue that Member has raised away and consider it carefully, but if you are not getting a satisfactory response, please contact me directly through my private office.”
“I very much appreciate that, when your home has been flooded, you will not be satisfied by warm words. As Minister, I will be judged on my actions when it comes to this project. I have given a personal commitment to it. I have asked my officials to give me regular updates on it. I have sent a very clear message to my officials that I want the scheme to be accelerated. There were land issues, which we are working to resolve very quickly. The Member will be aware that we also set up a community resilience group in the area so that we can work collectively to try to protect homes until we get to a point at which we have the flood alleviation scheme in place to provide the prevention measures required.”
“I thank the Member for his question. Having gone down and been with residents and having seen the devastation and damage caused by the flooding, I gave a commitment to the residents that I will do everything that I can to see the flood alleviation scheme accelerated. Having been there too, the Member will be aware of that. Work is ongoing. We are moving to the procurement of contractors. Officials are working to a timeline in which construction will begin in early 2021. As I have said to officials and elected representatives there, I have asked my officials to ensure that everything that can be done is being done to accelerate this project.”
“The Member will be aware that, as the Minister with responsibility for planning, I have very clear processes to follow. I will, of course, fully consider any applications that come before me.”
“I thank the Member for his question. He never misses an opportunity. My response, as it has been before, is that all planning applications have to be processed following the right statutory processes. When those processes are completed, and planning officials have fully considered them, a recommendation will come up to me. As planning Minister, I will ensure that all the statutory processes are followed for all applications on which I have to take decisions.”
“Last month, I held a second and very constructive meeting with representatives of the rail lobby group Into the West. Following my request to Translink for it to re-examine the timeline for completion of the feasibility study and associated business case, I am pleased to announce that the timeline has now been reduced by six months and the work should therefore be completed in early 2022. I will, of course, continue to do all that I can to make sure that we continue to move forward with the project at pace.”
“While an updated feasibility study is necessary after almost 10 years of delay, I am fully committed to getting the work done at pace and to making progress for the people of the north-west, who have waited too long for action to address regional imbalance and better connection for them as a community.”
“I thank the Member for his question. In December 2016, the then Infrastructure Minister, Chris Hazzard, announced that the planned phase 3 works were not to be carried out within the Budget period 2017-2021 but would remain on Translink's longer-term infrastructure strategy. However, in line with my commitment to improve connectivity with the north-west, I am determined to bring that project back on track. That is why I announced, on 10 June, that I have made funding available for an updated feasibility study for phase 3 of the Derry/Coleraine rail line.”
“My officials were in contact with them as recently as last night, and we will work as quickly as possible to get the money out, because we recognise that time is of the essence.”
“You are right in respect of the Finance Minister, but he had an existing scheme that was, in essence, straightforward because it relied on Land and Property Services (LPS) to identify businesses of rateable value. <BR /> <BR />The haulage sector, the bus and private-operator sector, and the taxi sector are diverse. You have the self-employed and companies with multiple employees, so they are two very different schemes. You are right to say that private bus and coach operators provided good analysis and ideas for schemes. In fact, those are the basis on which my officials are working. <BR /> <BR />I am not in a position to give a definitive timescale now because people need honesty. We need to be open and honest in our engagement with them and in the management of their expectations.”
“The extension was until Friday past. I met the First Minister and deputy First Minister yesterday. My intention is to write to them this week to set out the exceptional circumstances, while my officials are actively considering what schemes we can bring forward as required. <BR /> <BR />I am mindful that people in those sectors were excluded from previous schemes and are experiencing real financial hardship. I am committed to doing what I can, as quickly as possible, to make sure that they get financial assistance. I am as frustrated as them that they have had to wait several months. My view is that we could have included them in some previous schemes. However, we are where we are, and I will do what I can to help them as quickly as possible.”
“I thank the Member for her question. From the onset of the pandemic, I have said consistently that I do not have the powers to create financial hardship schemes. I was not saying that to be obstructive. I was saying it because it was the truth. That fact was recognised when the First Minister and deputy First Minister wrote to me to say that they were considering giving me new powers under the Financial Assistance Act. <BR /> <BR />Following that, I have engaged closely with the sectors. They have worked with my officials in providing the evidence required by the legislation, which has to determine that exceptional circumstances apply. I set a deadline of 6 October for receipt of that evidence. The sector asked for an extension, which we granted because we want to make sure that we have robust evidence.”
“When the matter was discussed in the Executive meeting on Friday, I assured the Economy Minister of my support by offering my officials, and I followed up on that assurance in writing. I am mindful of the fact that the Department for the Economy is under immense pressure. We have information relating to driving instructors that I would be willing to share. I am keen to work with all Executive colleagues to ensure that the driving instructors get the financial support that they deserve, given that it is the Executive's restrictions that have closed their businesses.”
“<BR /> <BR />I apologise to learner drivers and driving instructors. I do not want to see them in this situation, but we are in a pandemic. It is a public-facing service, and it has been impacted. I want to do what I can to ensure the safety of all involved and to get the service back up and running as quickly as possible.”
“I agree that this is a hugely frustrating situation for learner drivers and driving instructors. The Executive did not take this decision lightly. We were already at a difficult starting point. It is a high-demand service that was closed for five to six months, but we are trying to minimise disruption. We will bring additional slots online through November and December, and, as I said, we are recruiting 27 new examiners. We are also looking to see whether we can enhance testing at weekends, subject to road safety conditions. I am also keen that we try to minimise the disruption to this group of learner drivers. That is why the slots that will be opened in February will be exclusively for those candidates and pupils who have had their test cancelled during this four-week period.”
“In my answer to a question from Sinéad Bradley, I indicated that I had raised the issue of Bus Éireann. Bus Éireann is a commercial service, and it has announced its intention to cease services on 15 November. I am committed to maximising public transport, ensuring that we have all-island connectivity and, in particular, to ensuring that people are able to access public transport, North and South. I am, therefore, working with Translink to see what we can do not only to ensure the protection of the services that we provide but to explore what opportunities there may be for growth. I am due to engage in a number of bilaterals with the Finance Minister in the coming weeks and hope to discuss the matter further with him.”
“I thank the Member for his question. As he rightly points out, New Decade, New Approach is the basis on which all parties are around the Executive table. We signed up to it in good faith. The agreement contains a number of commitments that need to be honoured: commitments from the Irish Government, the British Government and the Northern Ireland Executive. <BR /> <BR />I welcomed the announcement of the €500 million, and I am keen to work with colleagues across the island to see delivery on that. I will push through on infrastructure in my engagement at the North/South Ministerial Council meetings and in my individual engagements with Minister Ryan and the Taoiseach. I am sure that that is the same approach that will be adopted by all our ministerial colleagues.”
“I agree with the Member that park-and-rides have an important role to play in tackling traffic congestion, promoting cleaner air and tackling the climate emergency. That is why I was delighted to announce £2·8 million in investment in park-and-rides earlier this year. <BR /> <BR />The Member is a real champion for Moira. I know that he is determined to see that park-and-ride facility delivered. I assure him that I am too. I hope to be in a position very soon to announce another tranche of funding in the coming months. Yes, subject to all processes being satisfied, my hope is that Moira can be included to help to ensure that his constituents have access to cleaner, greener travel.”
“<BR /> <BR />I am trying to address it through a number of ways: park-and-ride services to reduce private car use; promoting active travel, particularly in and around our schools, with young people; and looking at the development of quiet streets in those inner-city neighbourhoods so that the area is not dominated by vehicles but is actually for children and play. The Member will be aware that Translink also has a strategy on zero-emission and low-emission buses. I have given a significant financial contribution to that in my allocation this year. I am very keen to do what we can to promote active travel and greater use of our public transport network. I am also keen to work with ministerial colleagues, including the Environment Minister, as we try to improve the air quality of all our citizens.”
“I thank the Member for his question. My starting point is that everybody has the right to not have the air that is around them polluted. There is a social justice element to that. I can think even of my own constituency of North Belfast. Inner-city parts of North Belfast have the greatest levels of air pollution and, by no coincidence, the highest level of respiratory illnesses among children and, basically, residents of all ages. I agree with the Member that it is an absolute priority.”
“We will then move through the statutory processes. I am keen to move this project forward in the right way, ensuring that it is the right project, fit for purpose and future-proofed. I am keen to see delivery of it as quickly as possible for a number of the reasons that the Member highlighted.”
“I thank the Member for his question. I know that he has huge interest in the project. As I said, it is a strategic road improvement scheme that will provide a fully grade separated interchange to replace the existing at-grade signal-controlled junction of the A12, Westlink, M2 and M3. I recognise the strategic importance of that project. Its inclusion in the New Decade, New Approach agreement is further indication of its significance to economic and societal well-being, and I am determined to see it delivered. <BR /> <BR />In advance of the next stage of the scheme and in line with good practice, as I said, I have commissioned that short, sharp external review. It is being informed by stakeholders and specialists to ensure that any scheme is fit for purpose, and it will be completed by the end of the year.”
“In line with the Executive’s commitment to flagship schemes in their Programme for Government and, indeed, the British and Irish Governments' commitments in New Decade New Approach, my Department is advancing major road improvement schemes on the A5, A6, and at the York Street interchange to alleviate congestion and increase journey time reliability. In addition, major works on the A1 are being developed to improve road safety. Those strategically important schemes have been identified as having the ability to deliver for communities and to help to address regional imbalance while supporting connectivity and economic growth.”
“I thank the Member for his question. I recognise the need for improved interconnectivity between our towns and key gateways and a desire to reduce congestion at key points. The term "most congested" is a subjective one and will often be dependent on the season, the time of day and ongoing events. As such, it is not possible to compile a ranked list of the worst congestion points. I am mindful, however, that we cannot simply look to build our way out of congestion by creating more and more roads. Rather, I am determined to offer real alternatives to reduce our dependence on private car use and reduce emissions, including a drive towards modal shift through improved public transport and active travel options. <BR /> <BR />That does not mean that certain parts of our road network cannot benefit from major works projects.”
“I thank the Member for her question. I very much welcomed the announcement by the Irish Government of €500 million for infrastructure projects, as it is a huge opportunity for greater collaborative working and to see real delivery on the ground. The Member will know that the A5 was subject to a public inquiry. The report has been submitted, and my officials are carefully considering its findings while obtaining legal advice. When they make the submission to me, and I can give it my consideration, I will decide on the next steps. I want to reassure the Member that I recognise the importance of the A5 project. Subject to the completion of all the statutory processes, I will be keen to move on it as quickly as possible. I will, of course, look to the Irish Government to play their part, given their financial commitment to the project.”
“I thank the Member for his question. Yes, the York Street interchange project is critically important. It is a strategic road project, but it also presents an opportunity to have a properly future-proofed design to ensure that it is inclusive of the communities that live around it and that not only does it meet the objectives that we have as an Executive but it meets the objectives of a Belfast agenda. It is also an important way forward in tackling the climate emergency. The Member will know that I initiated a short, sharp external review to make sure that we were future-proofing the project, and I hope to receive that report after engagement with stakeholders around December time.”
“As the Member rightly says, I recently met her and representatives from the Narrow Water bridge community network. I know the local passion that her late father had for this project, which she has, and I know that those right across the local community share that passion for this transformative project. I assure her that I share that passion, and all my conversations to date with the Irish Government have been positive about delivering together on this all-island, New Decade, New Approach commitment. At the NSMC, and separately, I have engaged with Minister Ryan on progressing this important project. We will be working closely together in the next few months, and I will keep Members updated on progress.”
“<BR /> <BR />During the meeting, I also raised the issue of the withdrawal of the Bus Éireann service between Dublin and Belfast. Minister Ryan and I have held a number of bilateral meetings, and we continue to engage positively on how we can work together collaboratively to deliver for citizens and communities across our island.”
“Our response to COVID-19 in relation to transport services and operations was discussed, as was the latest EU funding position, including the potential loss of some opportunities due to Brexit and the implications for communities here and our shared New Decade, New Approach commitments. <BR /> <BR />Importantly, we agreed that the high-speed rail feasibility study would be extended to Derry and Limerick. Minister Ryan and I took that decision because we recognise that the north-west has, for too long, suffered from underinvestment in rail. We are both committed to addressing regional imbalance across the island. We also reiterated our commitment to progressing the A5, the Narrow Water bridge, renewed air services and cross-border greenways.”
“The NSMC transport sectoral meeting on Wednesday 7 October was conducted via videoconference due to current COVID restrictions. Eamon Ryan TD, Irish Transport Minister, Gordon Lyons MLA, as accompanying Minister, and I attended the meeting. I will make a statement on the meeting in the Assembly on 2 November, but I can report that it was hugely positive, and a lot of progress was made. <BR /> <BR />I can confirm that a number of issues were discussed and agreed at the meeting. These included the implications of Brexit for our island. An agreement was reached on continued cooperation on transport issues in the coming months.”
“I thank the Member for her question. In this year's annual budget, I allocated £75 million towards structural maintenance, which was in line with last year. I also created a £10 million rural roads fund, because I very much recognise that our rural roads are under pressure and that we need to do more to try to improve them. I assure the Member that I will continue to make representations to secure the necessary funding so that her constituency and other constituencies can see the significant road improvements that they need and deserve.”
“I thank the Member for his question. To my recollection, in the October monitoring round, I made a capital bid for £5·5 million, and just over £4 million of that was for structural maintenance. I can clarify those figures, and if they are not the most up-to-date figures, I can provide you with the revised figures. Please be assured that, where there is any opportunity to bid for additional moneys that I can ensure will be spent, I will continue to do that and to make those representations to Executive colleagues.”
“For investment in our roads and structural maintenance, my officials use and apply a matrix that is to do with the volume of traffic and defects on a road. We will never have a situation where the Department is not in receipt of compensation claims. The challenge here is that we have systematically underinvested in our road structure, and, unfortunately, this is one of the outworkings of that. I will continue to make representations to the Finance Minister and Executive colleagues to ensure that we can get the funding that we need to bring our roads up to a much better and much more improved standard.”
“I can confirm that, during that period, the breakdown of compensation payments was as follows: £2 million was paid out for vehicle damage; £10·7 million was paid out in compensation for personal injury; and £410,000 was paid out for property damage claims. The average timescale for a decision in respect of vehicle damage is four months. For personal injury and property damage, the average waiting time for a decision is six months.”
“During the same period, the Department received 18,452 public liability compensation claims and paid compensation in 10,453 cases. However, I wish to make it clear that claims received in one financial year are not always concluded within that financial year. Therefore, the figures that I have provided for cases where compensation was paid out, as well as the compensation amount, will include details for claims received in prior financial years. <BR /> <BR />It has been independently established that, at today’s prices, some £143 million is needed to maintain the structural integrity of Northern Ireland’s road network. However, due to budget constraints, that amount has not been available over the period in question.”
“Before I address the Member’s specific question, it is important to explain that, although my Department has a statutory duty under article 8 of the Roads Order to maintain public roads, there is no automatic entitlement to compensation for road users. My Department investigates and defends public liability claims, with every case turning on its own facts. In cases where my officials consider the Department can raise a legal defence, claims will be repudiated. <BR /> <BR />Turning to the Member’s specific question, I can confirm that, during the six full financial years from 2014-15 to 2019-2020, £13·1 million in roads-related public liability compensation was paid in claims for vehicle damage, personal injury and property damage.”
“I thank the Member for her question. The Minister for the Economy and her officials are working very hard on this matter. It was discussed at the Executive on Friday, and I understand that the Minister and her officials have been working diligently since then to try to bring forward a scheme that will set out very clearly the eligibility criteria that will ensure that people who were excluded previously are not excluded as we learn to cope with the next four weeks and the new restrictions imposed by the Executive.”
“There are 37 driving examiners. During this period, some will continue to conduct motorcycle tests, and others will be redeployed to other areas and duties, as she highlighted. Some will be offered the opportunity to take annual leave before the services resume.”
“I thank the Member for his very important question. He is right about the impact of the restrictions on driving instructors. They have been asked to close their businesses, so there is an onus and a responsibility on the Executive to ensure that they receive financial support. <BR /> <BR />The Member is right to highlight that, in many instances, driving instructors will not qualify for the Department of Finance scheme because they do not have rateable premises. However, the Minister for the Economy is working on a hardship scheme that will include businesses that have been affected by closure. My understanding is that the scheme will include those businesses and the self-employed, who are also impacted because their business relies very much on businesses that have been forced to close as a result of our restrictions.”
“I can confirm to the Member that, prior to the new restrictions and their impact on driving tests, we were working very hard to increase capacity. We are recruiting 27 extra examiners, three of whom have already been recruited. Twelve temporary and 12 permanent examiners are in the process of being recruited. We are offering driving tests on Saturdays and, while ensuring road safety, exploring the option of Sundays.”
“However, all driving test services across these islands are experiencing high demand with longer than usual waiting times. Like all public-facing services, the COVID-19 restrictions mean that the DVA has had to adapt its services to ensure that they can be provided safely, and it asks customers for their patience at this difficult time. <BR /> <BR />It is my priority to ensure that our staff and customers remain safe, and the DVA will continue to be guided by the latest public health and scientific advice as we work as quickly as we can to serve all our customers.”