Calls for increase in public transport investment

Northern Ireland must increase its investment in transport by £100 million per year – nearly half as much again as is currently planned - if it is to achieve a transportation system fit for the 21st century.

That was the message from Regional Development Minister, Gregory Campbell, speaking in the lead up to a major transportation conference in Belfast, to be held on 28 September.

Delegates representing a wide range of interests, including MLAs, local Councillors, and business and community representatives, will make a significant contribution to the Department for Regional Development’s efforts to publish a draft ten-year Regional Transportation Strategy in the autumn.

The Strategy has already come under criticism from local lobby group Transport 2000, who have said that the Executive has gone back on its promise to replace 178 of the oldest buses still being used on Ulster’s roads. Transport 2000 claims that the official pledge to replace the vehicles appeared in the draft version of the Executive’s Programme for Government, but has now been dropped from the final version of the publication, which states that only 25 buses will be replaced each year.

Mr Campbell said: "If transport funding carries on at the same levels as in recent years, then a bleak picture emerges in 2011.

"A lack of funding would mean no trains north of Ballymena or Whitehead, older buses and fewer of them, ever-deteriorating roads, more congestion and more social exclusion, especially for older people, people with disabilities and people in rural areas.

"Clearly, I believe the scenario painted, if we go on as we are, is totally unacceptable. We need to explore all potential sources of funding to secure the current railway network and improve our roads and public transport services." (CL)