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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“When it comes to the green growth strategy, on which DAERA leads, a group of Ministers convened to discuss a range of issues previously. One of those issues was hydrogen. My understanding is that we are due to reconvene. I have no doubt that hydrogen will be discussed, given its importance to the environment but also the economy. <BR /> <BR />I will continue to engage with Executive colleagues and the British Government in respect of funding to support the development of the EV infrastructure network. Recently, ESB has been successful in securing £3·27 million from the Levelling Up Fund to expand and enhance the network across Northern Ireland. I am keen for councils to access the £20 million of on-street residential charging funding that is available.”
“Members will know that, to drive things forward, I recently announced the establishment of an EV infrastructure task force. That group will help us to deliver a modern, reliable, public electric vehicle charging infrastructure to provide confidence to users of ultra-low-emission vehicles. It will comprise public- and private-sector organisations working together over the next year, and it will, as the report has rightly acknowledged, include representation from EV owners and energy and local government sectors to consider the actions that are required to address some of the barriers identified in the inquiry report.”
“<BR /> <BR />My Department continues to promote car sharing and the use of public transport through the ongoing expansion of park-and-ride and park-and-share sites and to explore integration with active travel options. Reducing our journeys and maximising our modal shift to walking, wheeling, cycling and sustainable transport is the first step to reducing emissions from transport. However, not all journeys can be done in that way, as Members have rightly pointed out. On behalf of the Executive, I was pleased to endorse the Glasgow declaration on zero-emission cars and vans announced at COP26 to accelerate the transition to 100% zero-emission cars and vans. <BR /> <BR />I turn to recommendations 3, 4, 5 and 6 of the report.”
“In line with that commitment, Members will be aware that I recently announced £30 million of additional investment to replace the Foyle Metro fleet with zero-emission battery electric buses. I am proud to say that that will make Derry one of the first cities across these islands to have a zero-emission urban bus fleet. In addition, earlier this year, I announced the launch of the all-island strategic rail review to consider how the rail network on the island of Ireland can improve sustainable connectivity across the island and improve the environment. Today, I am delighted to launch the public consultation element of the all-island strategic rail review, which will give citizens, businesses and communities the opportunity to have their say on their ambitions for rail across the island.”
“In October monitoring, not a penny was allocated to Translink, and the indications are that that may also be the case in January monitoring. That presents a challenge for me as the Minister for Infrastructure, to the Committee and to the House, because it will then be about trying to ensure the survival of our existing public transport network, which, as Members have rightly identified, should be significantly increased and enhanced. I sincerely hope that we do not find ourselves in that position in January monitoring, because we need sufficient resource funding to maintain and protect the current network. <BR /> <BR />We should absolutely be ambitious in expanding network provision, particularly for our rural communities, and in ensuring that we deliver a zero-emission fleet.”
“In December 2020, we introduced the first hydrogen-powered double-decker buses into public service. Three new hydrogen fuel cell buses were introduced as part of a zero-emission bus pilot project powered by green — that is important — renewably produced hydrogen. I have also provided funding of around £74 million for the purchase of 145 zero- and low-emission buses that have entered and will continue to enter the Translink fleet during this year and next. Of those, 80 will be electric-powered buses, while 20 will be hydrogen-fuelled. Plans are in place to have all bus services in Northern Ireland operated by zero-emission vehicles by 2040. <BR /> <BR />I want to respond to the points that Mr Muir, in particular, raised around funding. It will require substantial investment if we are to do this and get it right.”
“Members will know that I have identified that, out of the allocation of £20 million for the blue-green fund, £13·5 million will be spent this year on active travel projects across the North and on providing support to councils for greenways and other cycling measures. I also published the Belfast cycling network plan earlier this year, and I have promoted walking, wheeling and cycling as the first choices in modes of travel to benefit the environment and people's physical and mental health. <BR /> <BR />The inquiry report also rightly recognises that there is a need to prioritise low-emission, comfortable, coherent public transport in order to encourage its use. That is particularly the case as we continue to build back from the effects of the COVID pandemic.”
“While my Department is not responsible for bringing it to the Executive and then forward for publication, it is my sincere hope that the energy strategy will be published before the end of this year, as it is a critical part of how we tackle the climate emergency and address the energy crisis. <BR /> <BR />I move now to the report's second recommendation. Earlier this year, I established a dedicated transport decarbonisation branch with new personnel in the Department's transport policy directorate to take forward this work. I have made the promotion of sustainable transport a priority.”
“In June of this year, I published 'Planning for the Future of Transport: Time for Change', which clearly sets out my views on how we in Northern Ireland should follow a sustainable, hierarchical approach to achieving a better transport network. I assure the Committee and other Members that I am committed to developing policies and plans that will deliver a long-term plan for cleaner, greener transport in Northern Ireland. My commitments will be set out in the forthcoming Executive energy strategy, to which my Department has been contributing as transport lead and which will support the Executive's green growth agenda.”
“As the inquiry report rightly identifies, if we are to reach net zero targets, simply switching to electric vehicles will not be enough; it will also require reducing the number of vehicles on roads and promoting alternative modes of transport such as walking, wheeling, cycling and public transport. <BR /> <BR />Mr Boylan talked about his concerns that the report will become another strategy that is left to sit on a shelf to gather dust. I assure Members that my Department has been taking action on a number of fronts and in line with the recommendations in the report. <BR /> <BR />The first recommendation is that the Department update its strategies, polices and investment plans with a clear net zero focus.”
“Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. I thank the Committee for Infrastructure for undertaking this important inquiry. I thank the Chairperson and the Committee members who have spoken in this important debate on the decarbonisation of road transport. The debate is timely, following COP26. <BR /> <BR />As Minister for Infrastructure, I am focused on doing what I can to tackle the climate crisis, including addressing emissions from road transport. I have listened carefully to Members' views. As several Members outlined during the debate, road transport is a key contributor to emissions and energy use.”
“I thank the Member for his question. He will be aware that the consultation period has closed. Officials are assessing all the responses. My understanding is that they will prepare for me a report to identify the next steps. I have not received that report as yet. There were a significant number of responses to the consultation, and officials are working diligently through them. I hope to be in a position to receive a report and to give clarity on the situation. Again, it comes back to the question that Mr Muir posed. If we are serious about tackling the climate emergency and connecting our communities, particularly to opportunities, we need to invest in and expand our public transport network.”
“That work is therefore ongoing. It is not impacted on by the legal challenges. Of course, it again comes back to the nub of the issue, which is the historical underinvestment in our road network and the fact that that has prohibited a lot of work from taking place over many years. That underinvestment is also contributing significantly to the ongoing deterioration of our road network. We need to make sure that we have sufficient funding going to our roads. The Barton report identified a minimum requirement of £143 million per annum. That is at 2018 prices, so we will need to be looking at a much higher figure. By not investing in our road network, we are only making the situation worse.”
“Roads are inspected as part of the maintenance cycle and process undertaken by the Department, and any defects identified are marked for treatment. A priority is allocated to the level of the defect so that the most serious are fixed in the quickest possible time frame.”
“I do not have that information to hand. Officials and I have allocated £80 million across all divisions, and we are working at pace to provide solutions for the contracts that have been affected as a result of the legal challenges. As part of that process, we were able to allocate an additional £5 million from October monitoring. I have asked officials to keep the financial situation under review so that we can maximise the investment going into our road network. Of course, the rural roads fund has had a 50% increase, and Omagh is benefiting from that. The legal challenge does not impact on that fund, and we will continue to roll that out in Omagh and across the North.”
“If we follow through on that work, we will be able to maximise the many opportunities and benefits to be had from a strong rail network across the island. We can see how that works in other places around the world where there is significant investment in rail.”
“Since taking up post, I have been very clear that rail is an untapped opportunity. In fact, you need only look at a map of the north-west to see the unjust lack of rail connectivity. To try to address that, I got phase 3 back on track. The report is due to be with me this month. There is no slippage on that. It is on course. <BR /> <BR />The Member will know that I have initiated work on additional rail halts and a half-hourly service to improve rail connectivity to the north-west. I am working with Minister Eamon Ryan on the all-island strategic rail review. That will look at the existing rail networks on the island to see where they can be improved, the opportunities for new rail connections and the rail connectivity to our ports and airports. It will also examine the potential of rail for freight. Those strands of work are ongoing.”
“I thank the Member for her question. The active travel hub is a crucial component of the hub in Derry. The funding for that is under consideration by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). There have been a number of overspends and underspends, and my understanding is that SEUPB is considering what funding might be made available. I have asked my officials to keep in close contact with SEUPB so that we can get regular updates. It is important that we have clarity and that we get that moving.”
“Those are the schemes that have the best chance of coming through the process to delivery on the ground. The time frame is that we hope to publish the report early in the new year.”
“The report reviews the residents' parking schemes that are in place to see what works and how that learning can be applied to other circumstances. I have also asked for consideration to be given to the role of councils, because the challenge is whether to have a one-size-fits-all scheme or try to tailor schemes to local areas, which increases the complexities involved. That is the piece of work that is being given some consideration. <BR /> <BR />The challenge is that everyone wants a residents' parking scheme. However, when you start to delve into the details of what that might look like, it becomes quite problematic. For me, it is about getting as many people on board as we can, particularly at a local level so that we are investing time and resource in devising schemes and working with local communities.”
“The Member will be aware that the review was carried out. Officials have prepared a report on the assessment, and we are reviewing that report. I hope to make the findings public shortly.”
“The greatest impact is likely to be seen in waste water treatment, creating possible pollution and other environmental impacts. I look across the House and to the Committee in particular to make the case for the critical investment that is required in our public transport network and in Northern Ireland Water.”
“Our public transport network is a critical public service. It is key to protecting our environment and to tackling social injustice, because many people who are reliant on our public transport network cannot afford cars. If we are serious about tackling the climate crisis, we absolutely should invest in and expand our public transport network. Across all parties, we talk about the importance of the climate emergency and making sure that we deal with it robustly, but we will not do that if we do not invest in our public transport network. <BR /> <BR />I will therefore continue to make the case at the Executive for public transport and for Northern Ireland Water. Particularly in the case of Northern Ireland Water, unless additional funding becomes available, there will inevitably be service reductions.”
“I am engaging with the Minister of Finance and other Executive colleagues to ensure that they are fully aware of the consequences of the decision not to allocate the required funding to Northern Ireland Water.”
“<BR /> <BR />The constrained October monitoring outcome significantly increases the risk of Northern Ireland Water not being able to deliver core services in the event that it cannot be sufficiently funded for the remainder of the financial year. The impact of rising energy costs has placed the sustainability of an effective and efficient water and sewerage service under extreme pressure. Living within current budget allocations during this period of unprecedented rising energy costs significantly increases the possibility of a detrimental impact on the delivery of that essential public health utility. <BR /> <BR />With just over four months of the financial year remaining, it is clear that that level of pressure cannot be absorbed without serious consequences and major impacts.”
“The Member raises a crucial issue. Northern Ireland Water is the largest electricity consumer in Northern Ireland, and, as a consequence of rising power costs, it has reported an increase in requirement of £19·7 million to cover the rising cost of energy. Northern Ireland Water submitted a bid for that amount in October monitoring, but, as Mr Muir highlighted, its resource budget was allocated only an additional £1·5 million. Northern Ireland Water indicates that, should power costs remain at record high levels, there could be further resource pressure of as much as £5 million before the end of the financial year.”
“They do not realise the impact that it has on people with mobility difficulties and people who are pushing prams and how it forces them out onto the road and makes them more vulnerable. We need to look at education, informing behavioural change and enforcement. We also need to look at the legislation to ensure that it is fit for purpose in tackling the issue.”
“My intention is that I will be in receipt of the paper and that, early in the new year, I will make it public so that we can invite comments and get stakeholders' views from right across the North to inform the way forward. I am frustrated that I have not been able to make more progress on the issue, because, in my view, it will require legislative change, and that is not possible within this mandate. However, I am focused on ensuring that we move the issue forward so that the Infrastructure Minister in the next mandate can take the action that is required. <BR /> <BR />The important point here is that the majority of pavement parking is done because people do not think.”
“I thank the Member for his question and for his support in trying to address pavement parking. The Member will know that on 1 November I launched the Department's Think Before You Park road safety campaign, which aims to highlight the dangers that are associated with pavement parking. I believe that it has been broadly welcomed and has started an important and healthy debate. I want to update the Member and say that, in parallel to that campaign, because I want to do more to tackle the issue, I will also go out to the public to seek views on how we deal with inconsiderate and obstructive pavement parking. I will produce a paper, make it public and invite the public to comment. <BR /> <BR />I am happy to take the issue of dropped kerbs and the portal away and speak to officials, and I will provide a written update to the Member afterwards.”
“As the Member will be aware, when I became aware of the issue, I came to the House to make a statement, because I viewed the matter as very serious and wanted to be open with Members. I intend to take the same approach as I did when dealing with the DVA issue, when I initiated independent investigations and then published the reports on my departmental website. I intend to take exactly the same course of action. The investigation team has been appointed. The work has commenced. The investigation team has indicated that it will provide an update next month. Once I have that update, I will be happy to update Members right across the House.”
“I thank the Member for her question. What we are dealing with is the result of years of underinvestment, which began under the stewardship of your party colleague Danny Kennedy when he held the portfolio and huge cuts were forced on him and his Department. The outworkings of that are coming to pass, because not only was there not enough investment but the fact that we are not investing in our road network means that it is deteriorating further. I continue to make the case for funding at the Executive. <BR /> <BR />As I outlined in a previous response, we hope to be in a position where contracts are awarded in January. We are very focused on doing what we can to make sure that the contracts are in place, the contract documents are robust and, importantly, we can get the resurfacing and asphalt schemes on the ground as quickly as possible.”
“The truth is that budgetary constraints mean that we cannot do all that I or members of the public or elected representatives would like. Our ability to increase the level of structural maintenance not just in roads but across our transport network and our capacity to deliver it is directly linked to the resources made available to my Department.”
“It is abundantly clear that we need to increase investment in the structural maintenance of our infrastructure: pavements, roads, cycle paths and public transport. I have been consistent in making that point. For road maintenance, the recommendations contained in the Barton report and the Northern Ireland Audit Office report broadly confirmed the need for much higher levels of investment, with £143 million per annum — that was based on 2018 prices — being identified as the minimum amount that we should spend on structural maintenance activities such as resurfacing, surface dressing and structural drainage. It is also clear that not spending at that level can often represent poor value for money, as repairs in settling claims inevitably cost more in the longer term.”
“The fact that there is a legal challenge has meant that that course of action has had to be taken, but I have been clear to officials that we have to work at pace to make sure that we get those resurfacing schemes in your constituency and others on the ground at the earliest opportunity, while making sure that, when we devise the new interim strategy, it is as robust as it can be to protect against any further legal challenges.”
“I thank the Member for his question, but I have to point out that it is not the case that no work has been carried out. Ongoing maintenance work has been carried out; in fact, the 50% increase in the rural roads fund has been able to roll out and is not impacted by any of the legal challenges. I hope that that provides some reassurance. Officials are working at pace to go out to tender to ensure that we get the resurfacing projects on the ground as quickly as possible. <BR /> <BR />I share the Member's frustrations. I did not anticipate a legal challenge.”
“While it is not possible to completely eliminate the risk of legal challenge, I hope that the new approach, which offers an increased number of term contracts and one-off packages, will provide the market with greater opportunities to bid for the work. <BR /> <BR />The Member will also be aware from when I made the statement in the House in June that I have also initiated an independent investigation, and I expect to have an update on that next month.”
“The Member raises an important point. In general, Northern Ireland construction has a significant number of legal challenges to public procurement competitions. For road contracts, it is an extremely competitive and specialist market with little opportunity to work for private clients. Unfortunately, legal challenges of many forms have been part of that area of work for over 10 years. However, following a legal challenge preventing the award of asphalt resurfacing contracts in four areas, the Department has considered legal advice and has been working at pace to develop and implement a new interim strategy for asphalt resurfacing term contracts. It has made sure to have ongoing engagement with legal advice so that contract documents are robust.”
“Following the success of last year’s investment, I increased that funding to £17 million, of which £15 million is specifically directed towards rural roads, which is a 50% increase on last year.”
“The Department anticipates being in a position to award the contracts in January to allow much-needed resurfacing to resume in those areas. Work on the next phase of term contracts is at an advanced stage with this and subsequent phases, which will follow at three-month intervals. In addition, two one-off contract packages are being tendered and a number of others are being prepared. <BR /> <BR />I recognise that there has been historical underinvestment in the maintenance of our road network for a significant number of years and that many rural roads are in need of repair. The Member will be aware that, in response, I allocated £12 million of my 2020-21 capital budget to a roads recovery fund, of which £10 million was specifically directed towards rural roads.”
“Earlier this year, my Department received legal challenges preventing the award of resurfacing contracts in four council areas. In my statement to the House on 15 June, I indicated that officials were working at pace to develop a new interim procurement strategy for resurfacing contracts consisting of term contracts supplemented by one-off contract packages. That strategy has been finalised following a pre-market engagement exercise that took place over the summer. <BR /> <BR />The strategy consists of four phases with six new-term contracts in each. I am pleased to announce that my Department published for tender the first phase last week, and that includes the majority of the four areas impacted by the legal challenge.”
“Any assistance in raising the profile of that funding with councils would be much appreciated.”
“I wrote to the councils on 22 January, inviting them to submit proposals to my Department for the greening of alleyways and similar spaces in their jurisdictions. Since then, my Department has been contacted by four councils on that, and my officials are working with them to develop their proposals. I would have liked all the councils to have been in touch to seek funding. I reiterate the point and ask Members across the House to engage with their party colleagues on councils and encourage them to apply for the funding. The criteria for the funding is not complex — it was deliberately made straightforward — so accessibility should be easy. It is really about getting engagement from local communities and making sure that they feel part of the initiative and feel a sense of ownership over it.”
“I refer the Member to the greening of alleyways initiative. We are trying to find creative solutions to a difficult issue, working with councils and community groups. This is the first time that capital funding has been made available for communities to transform their entries. I have seen unadopted alleyways in operation in north Belfast: I have seen the good and the bad and have met residents who are tormented because of the issue. That is why I have been pushing my officials to engage proactively with Belfast City Council in particular. I have also been in Ardoyne, where residents transformed an alleyway, and I have seen the transformation of alleyways in south Belfast. I am keen to support that work and ensure that we do what we can to address the issue whilst empowering local communities.”
“It is also my understanding that Belfast City Council is initiating its own pilot in the area. I have no doubt that, if the Member speaks with his council colleagues, they will be able to update him on the matter.”
“In recognition of the fact that the issue impacts on local communities, I brought forward the greening of alleyways scheme. To my knowledge, it is the first time that the Minister holding this portfolio has tried to address the issue. My officials are working with councils across Northern Ireland to encourage them to draw down the funding that has been made available for the transformation of those alleyways. We have had feedback from four of the councils. I look to Members across the Chamber to engage with their council colleagues to encourage them to apply for the funding. <BR /> <BR />I agree wholeheartedly with the Member: it is about partnership working. That is why my officials have been working and positively engaging with councils on the issue.”
“That funding can be used directly by the council, or it can be provided to communities to carry out work to improve back entries, alleyways and similar open spaces to help to enhance community pride, reduce antisocial behaviour and generally improve the environment and help to promote walking, cycling and other activities. The funding is available irrespective of whether the site has been adopted by my Department.”
“In certain circumstances, my Department can adopt existing streets that have not previously been determined for adoption under article 9 of the Private Streets (NI) Order 1980, provided that they meet certain criteria. The criteria require that my Department is of the opinion that the street should become a public road; that a majority of the owners or occupiers of the land in or adjoining the street consent in writing; and that the Department is satisfied that the street is, in all respects, fit and proper to become a public road. <BR /> <BR />I recently launched the alleyway transformation initiative, and I wrote to all councils, inviting them to scope the opportunities that exist for interventions of that nature and to apply to my Department for funding.”
“The Member may know that, since taking up post as Minister for Infrastructure, I have announced progress on a number of park-and-ride schemes. They are an important part of the answer. If we are really to get people out of their cars, we need to make sure that they have accessible public transport that is affordable and reliable. A key part of that journey is making sure that park-and-rides enable people to make the majority of their journey via public transport, so I will continue to progress that agenda. As with all of these things, it largely depends on the funding that is allocated to the Department. The expansion of public transport, park-and-rides and active travel are all critical pillars of my commitment to tackling the climate emergency.”
“The Member is right to highlight that this winter is, in many respects, a perfect storm, particularly for households. While a number of the issues that he has highlighted fall outside my remit as Minister for Infrastructure, I assure him that I, as a Minister in the Executive, will work with Executive colleagues to ensure that we get support to our businesses and households as we face a very difficult winter.”
“Further, almost 2,000 of the 4,000 parking spaces in Newry are currently uncharged. I will, of course, continue to work with councils towards people-centred place-shaping. I am very conscious that, through the local development plan and the parking strategy, my Department and officials will work with local stakeholders to ensure that we get that right. I have no doubt that this issue will be reviewed as part of that process.”