Question Time: Regional Development Monday 16 June 2014
Traffic
calming measures were discussed during Questions
to the Minister for Regional Development, Danny Kennedy. £3m has been
invested in traffic calming in Northern Ireland between May 2011 and March
2013. Judith Cochrane was interested in the number of locations assessed by the
Roads Service for traffic calming in the Eastern Division. 216 locations have
been assessed and £1m invested in the Eastern Division between May 2011 and
March 2013. The Minister agreed that resources are stretched and revealed that
he has bid for £5.2m in the June monitoring round towards transport safety
measures.
Also on the
theme of road safety, Gregory Campbell asked the Minister if there are any
plans to introduce 20mph speed limits around rural schools as part of the
schools safety policy. The new policy, which will be installed this summer,
will allow for part-time 20mph limits at schools in all areas, prioritised by
level of perceived risk. Mr Campbell expressed his concern about rural schools
that are close to significant roadways where speeding occurs and asked the
Minister to bear this in mind when prioritising the schools where the scheme is
implemented. Mr Kennedy assured that all circumstances will be taken into
consideration as the policy moves forward.
Mr Kennedy
also answered questions on the Bangor Sewerage Infrastructure Improvement
Scheme, the transfer of car parks to local councils and the responsibility of
grass cutting in private areas. Following the news that Royal Portrush Golf
Club may be holding The Open golf tournament as soon as 2019, Paul Frew
took the opportunity during topical questions to ask the Minister if he will be
making efforts to improve the transport infrastructure in the Portrush area to accommodate
the prestigious event. Mr Kennedy agreed that it is very important that the
infrastructure is improved and looks forward to sitting round the Executive
table to secure the appropriate funding.
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