Transport Infrastructure Key To Supporting Hospitality And Tourism

Transport infrastructure plays a key role in supporting Northern Ireland's hospitality and tourism sectors, Infrastructure Minister, John O'Dowd, has said.

Minister O'Dowd has met with the newly formed Connectivity Coalition to discuss how the transport, hospitality and tourism sectors can work together.

Led by Hospitality Ulster Chief Executive Colin Neill the meeting was an opportunity to meet stakeholders from the transport and tourist sectors.

Commenting after the meeting Minister O'Dowd said: "The hospitality and tourism sectors are vital cogs in the economy of the north and I fully recognise the key role our transport infrastructure plays in supporting the industry by getting people into our towns and cities and home again.

"Increasing the appeal of our public transport system and thereby the passenger experience is at the heart of improving connectivity into our city centres. The opening of the new York Street Station and the development of the Belfast Grand Central Station, along with the purchase of new buses and carriages, help to highlight the significant investment my Department has made in this part of the transport network.

"I am also committed to addressing regional imbalance and ensuring improved transport services across the north. I have already ringfenced £4.7million for Phase 3 capital works to complete the renewal of the railway line between Derry and Coleraine to accommodate speed increases and improve journey times and have also secured funding from the Union Connectivity Review for a feasibility study into the Derry to Portadown line. My Department has also invested £64million into the decarbonisation of public transport with the introduction of 100 new battery electric buses currently being rolled out across the Translink fleet in Belfast, Derry, Limavady, Strabane, Coleraine and Portadown.

"Just last week the All Island Regional Strategic Rail review was published which offers an opportunity to deliver real and lasting change for people, communities and our island economy through faster speeds, improved frequency, new routes and improved accessibility and connectivity across the island.

"My Department is currently developing a new Transport Strategy, which will form an overarching framework to shape the vision and strategic priorities for transport through to 2035. This strategy will seek to balance the development and management of the transport network with our legal requirement to address climate change through decarbonisation measures.

"Through the development of local transport plans, we are working with Council areas to plan changes to the transport network to create more accessible and convenient options for people travelling that will help us to improve the vibrancy and vitality of our towns and city centres, provide greater access to jobs, services and recreation and meet our wider decarbonisation goals.

"Getting infrastructure right can create the foundations for better rural and urban communities and I will continue to work to ensure that appropriate investment is made available, as much as possible, to enhance our public transport network across the north."