Executive must change public transport funding changes to help us go green

10.13.00am GMT Fri 14th Mar 2008

Alliance Sustainability Spokesperson Cllr Alan Lawther

Alliance Sustainability Spokesperson Cllr Alan Lawther has stated that the Regional Development Minister should redirect cash away from roads towards improving public transport in order to get people out of their cars. He said that tough but necessary decisions must be taken in order to protect the environment. His comments come after he was the only Antrim Representative that met Minister Conor Murphy to discuss better rail links at Northern Rail Corridor event.

Antrim Councillor Alan Lawther said: "Conor Murphy should re-direct cash from the roads towards improving our bus and train services.

"He needs to be brave enough to take this radical decision if he wants to get people out of their cars and onto public transport. For example, we need to see the speedy introduction of extra train services from Belfast to Derry, serving Antrim, and I pressed this case during the meeting with him this week.

"There needs to be the extra incentive of more frequent public transport services to change the car culture that exists in Northern Ireland.

"Unfortunately, this Executive seems wedded to this car culture. Local people are getting road rage, in that they are crying out for improvements to public transport, but their needs are not being met.

"To protect the environment, tough decisions need to be made and I hope that this Executive will develop the courage to make them. Currently, however, I fear they do not have the courage or vision to deliver the necessary changes."

ENDS