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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“I want to work collaboratively with Ministers, councils and other stakeholders to develop the Comber greenway and our other assets to make a real difference for our communities and to people's lives. <BR /> <BR />Once the Budget process provides clarity on the resources available to me, I will be able to firm up my objectives for cycling and active travel. I can, however, give Members my firm commitment that delivering more ways for the public to access active travel will be part of my focus over the next two years. <BR /> <BR />With budget pressures and environmental challenges, we need to think big and think boldly about how we can deliver radical change. Enhancing health and improving well-being are key to connecting communities and tackling the climate crisis. With improving lives as our focus, we can and will deliver more.”
“As Ms Bunting referenced, the investment included around £500,000 on widening the greenway from 3 metres to 4 metres — that was done in association with the Department for Communities — and around £500,000 on improving access points at the Grahamsbridge Road junction and a new walking and cycling bridge at the Dundonald International Ice Bowl, which was a Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council project supported by my Department. <BR /> <BR />I assure Members that I share their passion, and I am keen to consider carefully how the development of greenways generally can deliver projects that have the potential to improve people's lives and connect communities.”
“<BR /> <BR />It is clear from experience with the Comber greenway that, in the urban environment, greenways have the significant benefit of improving off-road routes for commuting to and from work and places of education. <BR /> <BR />Data from counters on the Comber greenway indicates that in the order of 300,000 journeys are made on the greenway each year. In recent years, a total of £1·5 million has been invested in the Comber greenway route by my Department and other stakeholders.”
“In addition, more walking and cycling, especially for the shorter journeys that make up one third of all journeys that we make every day, will help to create a cleaner environment and ensure that all of us play our part in tackling the climate crisis. <BR /> <BR />I recognise that greenways can help to give people the freedom and confidence to walk, to start to cycle or to cycle more, all in a safe, traffic-free and pleasant environment, whether for commuting, travelling to and from school or going about their everyday business. Greenways provide opportunities for walking groups, for older people and, as Ms Bunting articulated, for people of all ages to get active and have fun moments of friendship.”
“<BR /> <BR />On a general note, since I have been appointed Minister, I have made it clear that my focus is on doing what I can to improve the life of everyone living right across Northern Ireland. As an important part of that focus, I want to increase the proportion of everyday journeys made by walking and cycling across the North. As Mr Newton so elegantly quoted, greenways provide a "rural escape from urban bustle". <BR /> <BR />The benefits of developing greenways are many, and the health and lifestyle benefits are well-understood and have been articulated by everyone in the Chamber this evening. In addition, there are social and economic benefits for communities, in particular in building dynamic local communities and vibrant economies. Walking and cycling are key elements of thriving towns and cities.”
“I thank Mr Newton for instigating this debate on investment in the Comber greenway and for his acknowledgement of the commitment and the work that has gone into trying to progress the Comber greenway from the previous and the current permanent secretary. It is appreciated. <BR /> <BR />This is not the first time that Mr Newton has brought a debate to the Assembly on the Comber greenway, and I think it is testimony to his commitment that he has again brought an Adjournment debate so early on in our re-establishment. I thank him for his comments and for all Members' comments. It is very clear that all share a passion for active travel, for better-connected communities and for creating green safe space where we can enhance our physical and mental health.”
“Yes. Partnership working and the pooling of resource to try to deal with that are key. I am keen for my Department to play its part, working with other stakeholders.”
“I put on record my appreciation and thanks to staff from my Department and all those agencies who worked together, and they have worked tirelessly because of the relentless flooding and storms over the past four or five weeks. My Department takes the lead on that work and works very well with other agencies. I want that to continue. Whether it is addressing flooding, gully cleaning or preventative work, it will be successful only if we all work in partnership. I want to play my part through my Department's facilitating, encouraging and promoting that partnership working right across the board with all stakeholders.”
“I am aware of concerns about the lack of lighting along the stretch of road to which the Member referred. The difficulty is that the criteria on rural lighting, which I inherited, are very clear. Unfortunately, that stretch does not seem to qualify. I am, however, keen to engage further with the Member to see whether there are other things that we could do to try to find a resolution. I hope that we are able to progress the extension of the park-and-ride facility there. Hopefully, that will take some pressure off the parking congestion and ease the lighting issue.”
“The first business case to build a new park-and-ride facility at Moira station was approved by my Department in June 2016, but it could not proceed because negotiations to procure the land were unsuccessful. A new process was, therefore, undertaken, and a new business case that identified a new site was received in October 2019. It is anticipated that, when complete, the scheme will provide an additional 340 spaces. However, the procurement process to appoint a main contractor cannot commence until full funding is secured, planning approval obtained and lands acquired. Translink is preparing a full business case for the project. When the land purchase has been finalised, it will be submitted to my Department for approval. I will consider it in line with the budget and a number of competing priorities.”
“I have engaged with my Scottish counterpart. We have begun a discussion on a number of areas. I look forward to meeting him in the not-too-distant future to discuss a range of shared concerns and a number of areas where we can work together. I am keen to add that item to our agenda when we meet.”
“I know that many in North Belfast are frustrated at the lack of progress on the extension of the Glider. The Member is correct that, as part of the Belfast regional city deal, the Gliders are being progressed. There is a business case being submitted, as he says, in the spring. I am keen to move to public consultation in the latter part of this year. That is where we can scrutinise a potential route in order to ensure that we make the right decision. I reassure him that, as I said, public transport and connectivity are important. Not many constituencies are as fragmented as North Belfast. We need to work together to change that.”
“I absolutely support and defend people's right to challenge. I think, though, that we need to make sure that, when we are completing all the statutory processes on road schemes or junction work, everything is carried out as robustly as possible so that the decision-making process is robust and we can then get to a point where we are able to progress schemes. It is something that, as Minister, I am mindful of, and, as an Executive, we are mindful of it. I reassure him that there is thinking going on in the Department about those issues, and I am very clear that we need to make sure that all statutory and due processes are always completed to the highest standards to help protect against that.”
“A new regional strategic transport network transport plan, as it is very succinctly known, is being developed by my officials, and that will include proposals for future road improvement schemes. I will consider that in due course along with the other competing priorities. The Member referred to a particular road and junction, and I would be keen to have my officials meet him on-site and then they can feed back further information to me on it.”
“I do not have that information to hand, but I will follow up in writing to confirm the number of sites with the Member.”
“This is an area of policy that has been impacted because we have not had an Assembly or a Minister in place. In June 2016, in response to a motion calling for the protection of Woodburn forest, the then Minister, Mark H Durkan, announced the intention to remove permitted development rights for petroleum exploration and to consult on proposals for legislative change. In December 2016, the public consultation, which was informed by responses received in an earlier call for evidence, proposed a number of options. I reassure the Member that I will be considering the responses to the consultation over the coming weeks.”
“To reassure the Member, yes. I have not had engagement with the Education Minister as yet, but I will engage with him and other ministerial colleagues as I start to formulate the road safety strategy. This is an area that I would like to consider as part of that, so, as well as engaging with Members, I reassure him that I will engage with the Education Minister on it.”
“I want to consider a range of proposals to see what is doable within these two years. I am keen to continue engagement with the Member.”
“Yes, the Member has written to me on this matter on a couple of occasions. He has been examining best practice from across the globe and sharing that with me, which is very helpful. I also understand how important this is to you as it almost affected your two children, so the issue matters to us as parents as well as elected representatives. I can understand why schools are getting in touch with you about it. <BR /> <BR />I am reviewing the best practice that you shared with me. You will be aware of the number of road safety teaching resources that we apply to schools. We spoke earlier about the reduction in speed limits and so forth around schools. It is about seeing what more we can do on the issue. I intend to review the range of pressures across my Department and will consider my legislative programme accordingly.”
“I do indeed recognise the importance of that. Multi-agency coordination has been ongoing at a local level in relation to the impacts on residents, and as recently as Friday 28 February. A watching brief is ongoing and further calls will be held as required with participants from right across a number of sectors and partners. The Member will know — he has been advocating on the issue — that Fermanagh and Omagh District Council initiated a welfare assistance line to advise that, if there are instances where a carer is unable to access a client's home, they should contact their social worker. I am advised that no calls have been received to this helpline to date, but I am very conscious of the impact on carers.”
“Officials have also developed strong links with other response organisations and the voluntary sector to provide coordinated multi-agency support to individual properties or communities that may be cut off by floodwater and require access to essential services.”
“Flooding in the Boho area of County Fermanagh usually occurs when water levels in the river there rise after prolonged and heavy rainfall. In the past, officials have considered a flood alleviation scheme for this area, which would involve the diversion of the river and improving the gradient in what is a flat and slow-flowing river. Unfortunately, the costs of this proposal far outweigh any flood alleviation benefits that would be gained. However, my Department has established a community resilience group in the Boho area to help residents to be more resilient to the impacts of flooding.”
“I will press to ensure that we can unlock the tourism potential of this cross-border region. I look forward to engaging with my counterpart in the South to discuss how best to achieve this in the Newry/Carlingford area.”
“As I said to Ms Bradley, I recognise the local support for a bridge at Narrow Water to link the communities on both sides of the lough and maximise the tourism potential of that cross-border region, whilst also protecting the area's natural environment of historic and ecological significance.”
“In the New Decade, New Approach deal, the UK Government committed to providing additional financial support for infrastructure delivery to enable the Executive to invest in a range of potential capital projects, such as Narrow Water bridge. As I said earlier, I met Minister Walker and our Finance Minister to discuss the issues that we face here and to seek reassurance as to the priority of investment in critical infrastructure. The Irish Government stated their readiness to jointly progress consideration of options for the development of the Narrow Water bridge project at the North/South Ministerial Council.”
“I see our public transport network as about connecting people and tackling the climate emergency and regional imbalance. I genuinely want to do what I can to push that agenda forward.”
“I am very much aware of the interest in rail generally, but also in the particular lines and routes that you referenced. Again, this comes down to, "Am I prioritising public transport?". Yes. "Do I see the huge potential in our rail network, not just in tackling the climate emergency but as a tourism offering?". Absolutely. If we are serious about the modal shift of getting people out of their cars, we need to recognise that having a vibrant rail network is key. <BR /> <BR />As with all these things, the reality of having to operate within a budget that I have not caught sight of yet, but will, hopefully, have a clearer picture of in a few weeks' time, will necessitate that I have to have priorities and make difficult choices.”
“I am happy to take the Member up on his invitation when I am out in that direction, and to meet the hockey club. Of course Translink, in bringing forward this plan, should absolutely engage with and involve the local community to get a solution that meets the needs of most people in the area, if not the needs of everyone.”
“One of my priorities is tackling climate change. I have been very clear that I believe that investing in the public transport network is key to that. I am on record saying that our rail network has been underestimated and underinvested in. I have also talked about the need to tackle regional imbalance, so I very much see rail projects in the north-west as hitting a number of those priorities. I am keen to get to the north-west to engage with local communities and see for myself. I want to do what I can within the two years and within the budget. I reassure the Member that, for all the priorities I have set out, I recognise the importance of this and want to do what I can.”
“I thank the Member for her supplementary question. It is my understanding that, following representations from local councillors and MLAs, waiting restrictions were introduced in the immediate vicinity of Mossley West station in 2016, the purpose of which was to discourage all-day parking by commuters and, it was hoped, improve access for residents. I was not aware that there are continued significant issues there, so I am happy to take the Member up on her invitation, see it for myself and meet some of the residents. I suspect that the planning application will go through the local council, so I encourage the Member to keep an eye on that, and, hopefully, any issues can be resolved there.”
“<BR /> <BR />It is exactly that more holistic and joined-up approach that I believe is essential if we are to encourage and enable more people to travel sustainably. The revised plans for Mossley West are now well advanced, and the land purchase is due to be completed by 31 March 2020. However, while I recognise the importance of park-and-ride facilities, the fact is that severe constraints on budgets over recent years have resulted in significant pressures across my Department. I have already stressed the need for investment in infrastructure to my Executive colleagues, and, as the Member will be aware, infrastructure is key to connecting our communities and it is the bedrock on which we should build our ambitions for the delivery of radical change to improve lives.”
“Since 2013, my Department has delivered an additional 3,400 bus and rail park-and-ride spaces across Northern Ireland. Those have proven to be highly attractive and have played a central role in the growth of passenger numbers on our rail services. In October 2018, my Department approved the business case for an additional 235 spaces at Mossley West. However, following a request from Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, it became necessary to review that plan in order to incorporate links to the council's greenway strategy. While that has delayed the project, it should ensure a facility that better meets the needs, not only of those who drive to our park-and-ride sites but of those who walk and cycle.”
“I recognise the very strong local support for a number of roads projects and the many benefits that they can bring. Ideally, I would like to be able to do all those things, but I have to operate within the practicalities and realism of a budget. I encourage the Member to make as many positive representations as possible to the Minister of Finance to help me deliver on many of the projects that he has cited. He is right; New Decade, New Approach contains a very ambitious infrastructure programme, but there are many other projects that are maybe not seen to be flagship but could make a difference in communities' lives, particularly in connecting them and addressing years of historical neglect. I am keen to work with the Finance Minister and all my Executive colleagues as we deliver on our Programme for Government.”
“There are many projects that I could be investing in, from roads maintenance to the modernisation of the public transport network. I look forward to the Barnett consequentials that will come across so that I can try to do all those things to make a difference to people's lives.”
“What we have to do is absolutely have ambition to deliver flagship projects that will transform lives, tackle regional imbalance and tackle the climate emergency, but, as I have said, we also need to do what people consider to be the basic things right. What I am keen to do, and I have made a number of representations to the Finance Minister on this, is to get the right resource budget and the right capital budget to be able to do both. I look forward to 11 March in Westminster, because we hear a lot from the British Government, and the Prime Minister in particular, about "turbocharging" infrastructure across the water. There is also a reference to "turbocharging infrastructure" in the New Decade, New Approach agreement, which the British Government have signed.”
“I thank the Member for his question. I firmly believe that, if we as an Executive do not get the basics right and do not show that we can make a change to people's daily lives, from fixing potholes to switching back on street lights, we cannot genuinely and with any validity ask them to have confidence in us to deliver on the strategic, visionary projects that we are all committed to. Going forward, I have been making representations to get right the big visionary stuff that is needed, but I also need to be able to maintain, and keep investing in, our public assets. That means our roads and our street lights. I am keen to work with Executive colleagues to make that happen.”
“I am keen to discuss the project with the incoming Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, and I am also keen to continue engaging with local communities as we firm up a proposal. It is very important to me that I fulfil my commitment to addressing regional imbalance, and it is important that we as an Executive deliver for the people of South Down.”
“I thank the Member for her supplementary question. I certainly recognise the local support for a bridge at Narrow Water to link the communities on both sides of the lough and to take full advantage of the tourism potential in that cross-border area. I thank the Member for her invitation. I can confirm that, following her request, I will be coming to South Down on 18 March, when I will be delighted to meet her and members of the Narrow Water Bridge Community Network to discuss the progression of the Narrow Water bridge project. <BR /> <BR />I know that the Member has been advocating for her community for some time and that she is determined to see progress made.”
“I hope that my Executive colleagues realise the need to show the public that we can deliver in this place and that they can help me to secure the funding required to invest in our critical infrastructure that will allow us to meet our ambitions collectively, delivering for people right across Northern Ireland.”
“The extent to which I can progress the important projects is largely in the hands of the UK Government and the Executive's Budget. To that end, I met Minister Robin Walker and had a positive, helpful conversation with the Secretary of State for Transport. That is in addition to making several representations to our Finance Minister. In all those engagements, I sought reassurance on the priority of investment in our critical infrastructure. I am hopeful that the UK Government step up to meet their responsibility and commit the necessary funding required for the delivery of the New Decade, New Approach agreement.”
“Those are the building blocks that need to be in place if we are to take forward the Executive's wider commitments on health, housing, the economy and climate change.”
“Since taking up post, I have made it clear that modern and sustainable water, drainage and transport infrastructure are key enablers of ensuring regionally balanced growth, improved connectivity and improved well-being for all. The projects highlighted in the New Decade, New Approach agreement will be transformational, and I intend to progress each of them as far as possible within my two-year tenure. However, in doing so, I must be mindful of the immediate need to invest significantly in our waste water, public transport and road infrastructure, which have suffered from a legacy of years of underinvestment.”
“Once it is complete, I will publish it on the departmental website. It is important that, as Ministers, we have full openness and transparency and that we clearly set out how we arrived at the situation and what steps we are putting in place to make sure that it is never allowed to recur.”
“I was very clear when I became aware of the scale of the MOT situation that I would make four commitments to the public: to ensure the safety of DVA staff and customers; to do what I could to minimise the disruption to customers; to conduct two independent reviews to understand what happened and to best advise me, going forward, on how to get our MOT centres back and fully and safely operable as quickly as possible; and to look at what we could do to make sure that such a situation never happened again. The first of the independent reports was conducted by external independent engineers. The executive summary of that report is on my Department's website. The second independent review is an audit review. It is to help me to understand what happened, who knew what when and what action was taken. It is being completed.”
“I thank the Member for her question and her long list of compliments. Yes, I want to consider all options on how best to deliver vehicle testing services. No decisions have been taken, but I am looking closely at that option.”
“As I said, I am going through all of the consultation responses. I am mindful that the majority of them are supportive of change, as are many Members. Members will be aware of the ongoing situation in our MOT centres and that I have said that we need to improve our MOT system. I am mindful that, in doing that, I should take cognisance of this issue. While I cannot give the Member a definitive time frame, I reassure him that I am actively considering it, and I want to be able to bring proposals to the House as soon as possible. I am also happy to meet the Member and any other enthusiasts he wishes to bring with him.”
“That has led to a difference in how vehicles of historical interest are treated in GB and in Northern Ireland. My Department ran a consultation exercise in 2019 seeking views on whether the exemption should be introduced here, and I will consider all aspects of the issue, including the consultation responses, to help me decide how best to proceed. It is clear, given the volume of correspondence that my Department has received recently from political representatives and historical car enthusiasts, that there is significant support for a similar exemption here to the one introduced in GB in 2018. <BR /> <BR />I am aware of the Member's passion on the subject. He is a strong advocate for change. I assure him that I will examine the issue closely, and I hope to be in a position to update Members relatively soon.”
“The Member may be aware that, in 2014, the EU Commission published an EU directive that set out the standards for roadworthiness testing across the European Union. It included a number of compulsory provisions that had implications for motor vehicle testing across the UK. As part of that directive, member states were authorised to exempt vehicles of historical interest from roadworthiness testing if they were at least 30 years old, no longer in production and had not had substantial changes made to them. Before that, across the UK, only vehicles manufactured before 1960 were exempt from periodic testing. <BR /> <BR />In 2018, Great Britain, following a public consultation, introduced an exemption for vehicles that were manufactured or first registered no fewer than 40 years ago.”
“I completely send my condolences and thoughts to the families of those who so tragically lost their lives on our roads this weekend, as I do to all families who have lost loved ones in that tragic way. Immediately on taking up office, I had the privilege to meet Mr and Mrs Heaney, whose son Karl tragically lost his life on the A1. Once again, I was struck by the dignity of those families, who have suffered horrendously, yet strive with such compassion and energy through their pain to prevent any other family going through what they have. That is why, for me, road safety is not just a priority on paper; it is something that I want to work hard at to make a difference.”
“Yes, I am happy to look at that, and, certainly, I can add it as an agenda item in my engagement with the Chief Constable. I am also happy to follow up with the Member afterwards if there are particular issues, aspects or solutions that you want to bring to my attention for me to try to progress.”