Conference debates future regional transport options

A major transportation conference in Belfast has focused on the practical implementation of a Regional Transportation Strategy (RTS) that can meet the requirements of both rural and urban areas of Northern Ireland.

Regional Development Minister, Gregory Campbell, opened the event by referring to the recent high priority accorded to roads and transport in the recent draft budget. He added that he believed the political and public support was now in place to radically improve transport infrastructure and services throughout Northern Ireland.

However, the Minister went on to warn this would require additional funding of £950 million over the next ten years to properly kickstart the process.

He said: "This could result in initiatives such as an improved strategic road network, elimination of much of our serious road maintenance backlog, better public transport including new bookable and accessible rural transport system, a pilot rapid transport system, more ‘Quality Bus Corridors’ and modern rail services.

"However, failure to meet the financial requirements would lead to a totally unacceptable scenario, including closure of railway lines north of Ballymena and Whitehead, a significant decline in bus services, deterioration of the road network, more congested roads and increased social exclusion, especially in rural areas."

Delegates at the conference - which included MLAs, local councillors and business and community representatives - were invited to consider the emerging transportation strategy at two hypothetical funding levels.

The first is a moderately enhanced scenario requiring £500 million more than the current funding levels over the next ten years, and the second is a significantly enhanced option which would require £950 million extra for the same period.

Keynote speaker, Professor David Begg, Chairman of the UK’s Commission for Integrated Transport and a member of the independent Panel of Experts advising the Department on development of the draft Strategy, warned that transport in Northern Ireland is at a crossroads.

He said: "A generation of underinvestment has left a substantial roads maintenance backlog and an ageing public transport system. The RTS offers the opportunity to transform Northern Ireland's transport system, if there is the political will and the resources can be found." (CL)