Agenda item

            The Chairperson welcomed the following Department for Infrastructure (DfI) Roads officials to the meeting:

 

·        Mr. S. Wells, Divisional Roads Manager;

·        Mr. P. King, Network Development Manager; and

·        Mr. J. Torney, Belfast North Section Engineer.

 

            The DfI officials submitted for the Committee’s information the 2025/26 DfI Roads Annual Report on the works completed across the Council area during 2024/25 and the initial proposals for schemes to be undertaken in 2025/26.

 

            Mr. Wells highlighted that funding continued to be the main challenge for DfI in maintaining and improving road infrastructure. He highlighted the 2019 Review of Structural Maintenance Funding, which recommended that DfI Roads required £140m (approximately £200m today) per annum for structural maintenance. He reported that the opening 2025/26 Capital budget for structural maintenance of the road network was £68m, which would enable the delivery of the highest priority resurfacing, roadside stability and drainage projects.

 

            He advised the Committee that, in addition to the schemes outlined within the report, DfI had identified other resurfacing schemes within the Council area, and that should additional funding be made available, those schemes would be prepared for delivery.

 

            In relation to revenue funding for essential maintenance operations, Mr. Wells stated that, regrettably, DfI has had to continue with a limited maintenance service policy and in combination with funding constraints, this has resulted in a gradual deterioration in the condition of the road assets. He assured the Committee that the DfI Roads team would continue to manage the road network in the most efficient and effective manner.

 

            The Committee was provided with a brief overview of the works completed in 2024/25, which included the resurfacing of 31 lane-km of road and 21.5km of footways, with the most significant scheme being that of the Sydenham Bypass resurfacing. Mr. Wells reported that, for 2025/26, DfI would soon have completed 23.3 lane-km of resurfacing roads and 14.7km of footways, and that the two remaining projects to complete with the allocated funding were the resurfacing of Sydenham Avenue and Norglen Parade.

 

            Mr. Wells also provided the Committee with an update on the following:

 

·        the establishment of a multi-agency City Centre Task and Finish Group to address issues within the city centre;

·        the extension of bus lane hours on key routes within South Belfast affected by congestion;

·        the progress of Active Travel Schemes including Lagmore Avenue, Island Street and the first phase of the West Belfast Greenway;

·        the £2.4m junction improvement at McKinstry Road/Derriaghy Road/ the Cutts to improve safety for car users and pedestrians;

·        the new 20mph zones at primary schools within the city;

·        the Belfast Rapid Transport Phase 2;

·        the Lagan Pedestrian and Cycle Bridge;

·        The Transport Strategy 2035; and

·        The Regional Strategic Transport Plan.

           

            During discussion, the DfI officials answered a range of questions from the Members in relation to the following issues:

 

Knockbreda Road Crossing

 

A Member expressed frustration regarding the delay in its delivery. In response, Mr. Wells acknowledged the delay and advised that, due to an adjacent residential planning application, the crossing had been delayed to enable a redesign to be undertaken. He reported that once the redesign was completed, the crossing would remain a priority for DfI to deliver.

 

Ravenhill Park and Onslow Parade Traffic Calming Scheme

 

Mr. King advised that DfI had received objections to the proposals for the traffic calming scheme and that the next stage would involve engagement with public representatives to agree a way forward.

 

Eastern Transport Plan (ETP)

 

In response to a number of questions from the Members on the ETP, Mr. Wells advised that the ETP was in the final stages of preparation and should be due for publication in early 2026.

 

Residents’ Parking Schemes

 

In response to a number of questions from the Members on Residents’ Parking Schemes, Mr. Wells reported that this was currently under development by DfI and that, in parallel with the ETP, he would expect a Parking Strategy to be developed to identify areas that would particularly benefit from parking schemes.

 

Climate Crisis and Flooding

 

In response to a Member’s question on how DfI dealt with the climate crisis and flooding, Mr. Wells advised that, for 2025/26, additional funding had been allocated to deal with drainage works and that DfI would continue to engage with the Council to be proactive in dealing with issues more efficiently.

 

Pedestrianisation of Hill Street

 

Mr. Wells advised that DfI had received an objection in respect of the scheme and that, once this had been addressed, DfI hoped to have the scheme in place as soon as possible.

 

Resurfacing of Tennent Street and Townsend Street

 

Mr. Torney stated that both Tennent Street and Townsend Street remained a priority for resurfacing. He advised that, due to other development works in the area, the resurfacing of Townsend Street could not be fully completed. He reported that, once those development works were finished, DfI would prioritise the completion of resurfacing on Townsend Street. In respect of Tennent Street, Mr. Torney advised that the current surface of the road presented challenges in terms of the preparation work needed before resurfacing, however, this work remained a priority.

 

            The DfI officials also answered questions in relation to the City Centre Task and Finish Group, utility works and maintenance, active and sustainable transport and the Island Street Active Travel Scheme.

 

            In relation to communication, several Members acknowledged the Department’s resource pressures, however, expressed frustration in respect of its communication with elected representatives and highlighted the lack of responses to queries and issues raised.

 

            In response to the following additional issues raised by the Members, the DfI officials agreed to investigate and submit further information to the Committee in due course:

 

·        an update on whether a road survey had been carried out by DfI on the A55, Milltown Hill junction, in respect of potential options, including the installation of traffic lights or other appropriate measures, given the road safety issues and traffic congestion;

 

·        an update on the resurfacing of roads on Sicily Park and Locksley Park, given the poor road conditions;

 

·        an update on the installation of traffic calming measures on Carnanmore Park and Tildarg Avenue, which had been previously surveyed a number of years ago, given the increased traffic on those streets;

 

·        an update on the implementation and delivery of the Residents’ Parking Schemes and the potential to explore a citywide approach;

 

·        an update on the potential to reimagine the Westlink Footbridge;

 

·        an update on the installation of traffic calming measures on Distillery Street;

 

·        an update on the potential to extend the double yellow lines on Orby Street;

 

·        an update on the timeline for the Sailortown and Ulster University pedestrian and cycling improvements and whether there were plans to consult in respect of the Limestone Road; and

 

·        an update on the timeline to complete the works to the Victoria Park underpass.

             

            The Chairperson thanked the representatives for their attendance, and they retired from the meeting.

 

            After discussion, the Committee noted the information which had been provided and that, where relevant, DfI would provide further information on the issues raised.