Ulster Unionist Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy told an engineering conference today that his Department would do everything in his power to build an infrastructure legacy to give people more travel choices.
Speaking during a keynote address at the Institution of Civil Engineers Transport Conference on how to change attitudes to transport, the Minister said changing attitudes could play a significant role in improving our transport network.
The Minister said: “In building the physical infrastructure of our society, I recognise that there is a need to influence travel behaviour which will shape our society for decades to come. We must therefore build an infrastructure legacy that gives people the choice to use and access high quality public and sustainable transport services as a real alternative to private car travel.
“I believe that over the past number of years we have been making real progress on this. This has been achieved by providing better transport infrastructure through ongoing investment.
Sharing a platform with a range of academics and engineers for Transport, Minister Kennedy outlined planned investment in road and public transport and infrastructure.
Mr Kennedy said: “In the past 10 years, DRD has invested heavily in the rail network, funded improvements to the track, 43 new commuter trains, new and refurbished stations and additional Park and Ride facilities. The success of this investment is demonstrated by a rise in passenger journeys from 5.9million in 2001 to just over 11.5million last year – the highest level recorded since the 1960s. Where people are given an affordable and reliable alternative to the private car, people vote with their feet.
“Northern Ireland’s bus network has been transformed in the last decade. Since 2005, over 1,000 new buses have been introduced, the average age of the bus fleet has fallen and people have a much more pleasant, comfortable and safe journey experience. I recently announced £4.5million funding for Translink to purchase 23 new interurban coaches. Later this year I plan to invest a further £10million to allow Translink to purchase an additional 79 new Ulsterbus and Metro buses.
“In the last two years, my Department has spent over £2million on provision of Park and Ride facilities and has delivered over 1,000 new spaces. I intend to continue this investment and plan to add at least another 1,000 spaces by 2015.
“I believe however that to get even more people onto public transport requires more investment. My objective for public transport is to get more people, making more journeys in greater comfort.
“While I am encouraged by the growth in use of public transport I am also aware that active travel can play an important part in changing people’s attitudes to transport. DRD will continue to invest in active travel and will provide £4.3million to fund Active Travel Demonstration projects in Belfast, Londonderry, Craigavon and Strabane.
“I am a keen advocate of cycling and made a recent decision to create a dedicated cycling unit that can coordinate all aspects of cycling within my Department and across other Departments. Work on electric vehicles is continuing.
“Investment in road schemes is helping make a real difference, in terms of improving accessibility throughout the roads network."
He concluded: “Northern Ireland needs to develop infrastructure that competes with the rest of the world. This is a long term process which will help rebalance the economy, create jobs and opportunities, enhance productivity and help to address poverty and social exclusion.”
