REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT
(includes Harbours, Transport, Water Service)

Spokesperson: Naomi Long MLA

Last updated: 17 November 2004

Transport

Safe, effective, and efficient transport is essential to the success of the economy, the protection of the local and global environment, and the quality of life of the people in Northern Ireland. Traffic levels are growing at an exponential and unsustainable rate, with increased gridlock on important roads. Investment in public transport is well behind European and even British levels. The building of more roads cannot solve our problems alone. Public transport must be developed on priority routes and in urban areas, and be safe, reliable and affordable. The creation of such a network will require a significant injection of public funds. However, we must also recognise that Northern Ireland has a large rural population that is dependent upon private transport.

MANIFESTO PLEDGES (2003 NI Assembly)

• Increase the funding directed to public transport. At present, the Northern Ireland Regional Transportation Strategy devotes 65% of funding to roads, and only 35% to public transport. This ratio is the opposite in Great Britain.
• Secure and expand the railway system in Northern Ireland. Particular consideration will be given to the creation of a rapid transit system in the Belfast Metropolitan Region.
• Improve public transport, through the increase in park and ride schemes, more dedicated bus lanes, cross-city bus routes, better integrated timetables, and more efficient fare collection systems.
• Extend the Bus Service Operators Grant (BSOG) to a range of community groups with Small Bus Permits, in line with England, Scotland and Wales.
• Introduce free public transport for women aged 60–65. Presently, this provision is for the over 65s, but women receive state pensions at age 60. This will need to be revised in line with an equalisation of the pension age.
• Extend free travel to people with disabilities. Mobility must be assured for all sections of the community. Public transport is a necessity for many people with disabilities and should be free and disability-friendly.
• Improve the co-ordination of road works, and boost the repair and maintenance of roads. Northern Ireland has a very extensive road network of almost 25,000 kilometres. We must not neglect our roads but ensure they are maintained to a high standard. Utilities and communication companies who dig up our roads must repair them to a satisfactory level.
• Use new technology to manage traffic flows.
• Provide for residents-only parking schemes. Too many residents, in and around busy city and town centres, have difficulty accessing their own properties due to all-day parkers.
• Improve road safety, through better education and more traffic calming measures. We will also improve street lighting and favourably amend the pedestrian crosswalks formula.
• Reward those drivers who use low emission vehicles.
• Encourage a wider debate on ‘congestion charges’ and other forms of road pricing. Such initiatives would be consistent with the ‘polluter pays’ principle. However, motorists should not be so penalised until a proper public transport infrastructure has been put in place.

CONSULTATION RESPONSES