Rapid transit plan offers no relief for North Belfast and Newtownabbey commuters

2.41.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 8th Apr 2008

North Belfast representative, Gerry Lynch

Today's announcement by Regional Development Minister Conor Murphy that a rapid transit scheme for Belfast is viable offers no relief for North Belfast and Newtownabbey commuters, say local Alliance representatives.

South Antrim MLA and Party Leader, David Ford, and North Belfast representative, Gerry Lynch, say the lack of a North Belfast line in the scheme is a damning flaw.

Gerry Lynch said:

"The Antrim Road bus corridor is already the busiest public transport route in Belfast, and the long and continuous built up area from areas like Mallusk and Mossley all the way to Carlisle Circus provides a massive population base for any major public transport project.

"Indeed, the M2 below Fortwilliam is the busiest stretch of road in Northern Ireland - yet another demonstration that Greater North Belfast should be part of any major public transport project.

"With lines announced for East and West Belfast as well as a line connecting the Titanic Quarter with South Belfast, it seems that once again North Belfast is the poor relation in City development projects."

David Ford said:

"Commuters stuck in massive daily traffic jams at Sandyknowes and Greenisland will have plenty of time to ponder the failure of the Executive to get to grips with traffic problems in South Antrim and North Belfast.

"Residents in Glengormley, already losing out because of Conor Murphy's failure to provide a temporary bridge on the Hightown Road, will wonder what they have to do to get a reasonable transport system from this Executive. If we're to have second class roads and buses, perhaps Conor could offer a discount to people's car tax and bus fares?

"The low passenger numbers planned for this scheme - only 608 in the morning peak hour from West Belfast, for example - are another demonstration of the lack of ambition that is becoming the hallmark of this Executive."

ENDS