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MALLON LOOKS BACK AT TWO YEARS AS INFRASTRUCTURE MINISTER Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon has been looking back and reflecting upon her two years in office, saying she is proud of her team who have responded to the challenges of Covid-19 and Brexit, while building a better future with plans that include all-island rail connectivity, delivering the iconic Narrow Water Bridge, connecting Derry-Belfast with the new A6 and approving a new stadium for the GAA in Ulster at Casement Park. Commenting on her key priorities over the last two years, the Minister said: “To address the historic underfunding of our water and sewerage infrastructure, I allocated £344.5 million this year from my budget for essential water and sewerage services. This was the first time in many years that we had been able to fully fund this essential public service as recommended by the Utility Regulator. “Unfortunately, the road network, including footways, cycle lanes and bus lanes, maintenance has suffered due to a historic lack of investment, but this year I was delighted to be able to allocate £17 million towards a Roads Recovery Fund of which £15 million is being targeted towards rural roads. This investment, the highest level of funding to date for a specific rural roads fund, is being used to address areas of immediate concern across the rural roads network. “I have also allocated £19 million for flood
A6 dual carriageway.
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protection schemes across the North, including Belfast, Newcastle, Lisburn and Newry, to protect homes and businesses from the devastation of flooding, which can be a distressing and frightening experience for those affected. “Playing my part in tackling the climate crisis has been of huge importance to me. I set up a new £20 million per year blue/green infrastructure fund to support the transformation of our communities, promote active travel and shape our places.
RAIL & ROAD “I have invested in public transport to encourage a shift away from the car to more sustainable transport. One hundred and forty five zero and low emission buses including 20 hydrogen fuelled buses costing £74 million will begin to go into service from Spring this
year. In addition, I have invested £30 million for the purchase of 38 new zero emission battery electric buses for the Foyle Metro fleet, making it one of the first cities across these islands to have a zero emission bus fleet. “I have also invested £66 million in 21 new train carriages and depot infrastructure to transform rail journeys. This will help to reduce carbon emissions and attract more people to make cleaner public transport choices. “I have allocated funding for the feasibility study for the Phase 3 upgrade of the Derry to Belfast railway line. This crucial
