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NORTHERN IRELAND
Investment (Belfast, West)
Dr. Hendron: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what level of (a) public and (b) private investment has been secured by his Department for the constituency of Belfast, West since 31 August 1994. [5125]
Mr. Ancram: From the information available, it is estimated that direct departmental public investment commitments are in excess of £330 million for this period. Related private sector investment is estimated at £101 million. In addition some £33.8 million under "Making Belfast Work" has been spent for the financial years 1994-95 and 1995-96. Figures for the Northern Ireland Office, and the Departments of Education and of Finance and Personnel are not included in these figures and can be made available only at a disproportionate cost.
Targeting Social Need Initiative
Mr. McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the implementation of the targeting social need initiative. [6784]
Mr. Ancram: The targeting social need initiative has made a valuable contribution to addressing the problems of areas and people in greatest need. Since 1994, the results of specially commissioned research have been available to assist Departments in identifying areas of greatest need on the basis of objective criteria. These data have been used in the targeting of relevant Government and European Union programmes. Annual statements on public expenditure in Northern Ireland have highlighted specific programmes where expenditure has been increased or maintained. In 1994, management consultants reviewed the implementation of the initiative in the Department of Economic Development and recommendations were adopted, including the establishment of action plans. Other Departments are currently initiating similar strategies.
6 Dec 1996 : Column: 808
Northern Ireland Forum
Mr. Robert McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which delegates to the forum have submitted their resignations to him and which have had their names submitted for removal by their party's nominating representatives; and which nominating representatives he has changed and for what reasons. [7187]
Mr. Ancram: Thirteen members of the forum have written to my right hon. and learned Friend purporting to tender their resignation from the forum. They are the hon. Member for South Down (Mr. McGrady), Ms Brid Rodgers, Mr. Patsy McGlone, Mr. Hugh Carr, Mr. Mark Durkan, Mr. Donovan McClelland, Mr. Tommy Gallagher, Mr. Frank Feely, Mr. Arthur Doherty, Mr. Alisdair McDonnell, Mr. Alban Maginness, Ms Dorita Field and Mr. Sean Farren.
No delegates have had their names submitted for removal by their party's nominating representative.
Since the talks started to Secretary of State has made one change concerning nominating representatives. Following a number of representations he concluded that Councillor Mark Langhammer, who was originally designated as the nominating representative of Labour had ceased to be
Mr. Dowd:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many private finance initiative schemes have been used to date and how many are planned for implementing transport schemes in Northern Ireland. [7381]
Mr. Moss:
The responsibility for implementing transport schemes in Northern Ireland lies with the Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company and its operating subsidiaries Ulsterbus, Citybus and Northern Ireland Railways. I understand from the chairman of the NITHC that no private finance initiative schemes have been used to date but that three are being progressed.
Mr. Dowd:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what progress his Department has made in implementing a pilot cycle route in the Belfast urban area; [7373]
Mr. Moss:
Responsibility for the subject in question has been delegated to the Roads Service under its chief executive, Mr. W. J. McCoubrey. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.
6 Dec 1996 : Column: 809
Letter from W. J. McCoubrey to Mr. Jim Dowd, dated 5 December 1996:
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has asked me to reply to your questions about dedicated cycle routes in Northern Ireland and about the implementation of a pilot cycle route in the Belfast urban area.
Mr. Dowd:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress his Department has made in meeting each target set out in the road safety plan published in July 1995. [7377]
Mr. Moss:
The road safety plan for Northern Ireland covers the three-year period from 1995-96 to 1997-98 and is received annually with a major review and update during the third year.
A report monitoring progress will be available shortly and I will place a copy in the Library.
Mr. Dowd:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what have been the results of the feasibility study for park and ride facilities at bus and railway stations cited in his Department's document, "The Way Forward". [7379]
Mr. Moss:
The Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company in conjunction with its operating subsidiaries--Citybus Ltd., Northern Ireland Railways Ltd. and Ulsterbus Ltd.--have now audited existing park and ride facilities and their usage at key locations in Northern Ireland. They are in the course of finalising a station modernisation programme to create improved or new interchanges providing secure parking for bicycles and private cars.
6 Dec 1996 : Column: 810
Mr. Dowd:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what EU funds (a) have been used and (b) he proposes to use for (i) developing and improving transport within Northern Ireland and (ii) linking Northern Ireland with the Republic of Ireland, and if he will list the schemes. [7371]
"the Leader ... or otherwise the most appropriate person to act on behalf of Labour",
the statutory criterion for the post of nominating representative. The Secretary of State also concluded that that criterion was met by Mr. Malachi Curran. Notice that Mr. Curran was nominating representative of Labour appeared in the Belfast Gazette of 16 August.
(2) how many miles of dedicated cycle routes there are currently in Northern Ireland; and if he will list them. [7374]
At present dedicated cycle facilities exist at:
Craigavon new town development: Some 15 miles
Belfast, Sydenham By-pass: Some 6 miles
Belfast, Tillysburn--Palace Barracks, Hollywood: Some 2 miles
You may also be interested to know that Roads Service has entered into a partnership with Sustrans, the Bristol based cycling charity, to assist in developing the Northern Ireland part of the National Cycle Network. This is expected to result in the development of some 380 miles of cycle route, much of which will be along lightly trafficked rural roads. The stage has been reached where the framework report has been largely agreed. Subject to a satisfactory outcome from an investment appraisal and subsequently, to the legislative and statutory consultative procedures, it is hoped to have the first lengths of the network under construction in the summer of 1997.
Unfortunately, legislative difficulties have arisen which have delayed introduction of the pilot scheme referred to in "Transportation in Northern Ireland: The Way Forward". It had been intended that a length of dedicated cycle route of mixed type--for example, segregated sections for cyclists only, sections shared by cyclists and pedestrians--should be introduced from the University of Ulster at Jordanstown to Rushpark on the Shore Road in Belfast. By mixing the types of route their relative performance could be monitored. Progress is continuing on this, but it has been slower than originally intended. This length will now be incorporated into one of the early stages of the National Cycle Network to be developed in 1997.
I hope that you will find this information helpful.
| Grant committed to schemes within Northern Ireland | Grants committed to schemes linking Northern Ireland with the Republic of Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation sub-programme | £39.3 million (47.9 mecu) | £43.8 million (53.4 mecu) |
| Interreg 11 | £3.9 million (4.7 mecu) | nil |
| Programme for peace and reconciliation | nil | £1.6 million (1.9 mecu) |
The mecu value is provided using an exchange rate of £ = 1.22 mecu.
The list of schemes to which grant has been committed is as follows:
6 Dec 1996 : Column: 811
6 Dec 1996 : Column: 812
Mr. Moss:
The information requested is as follows:
It is not possible to anticipate how uncommitted grant will be allocated to schemes (i) developing and improving transport within Northern Ireland and (ii) those linking Northern Ireland with the Republic of Ireland.
Balance of grant to be committed:
1. Transportation sub-programme: £32.7 million (39.8 mecu)
2. Interreg II: £4.1 million (5 mecu)
3. Programme for peace and reconciliation: nil
Transportation sub-programme
Approved projects developing and improving transport in Northern Ireland
Cross Harbour Rail Link
Great Victoria Street Railway Station
Antrim/Bleach Green Rail Line
Road Network Management System
Limavady By-Pass
Antrim-Ballymena/A26
Belfast City Airport Road Access
Londonderry Port
Transit Shed
Mobile Crane
Scrap Grab
Pneumatic Cement Handler
Animal Feedstuffs Storage Facility
Larne Harbour
Redlands Transit Shed
Belfast Harbour
Fast Ferry Facilities
Newry Bus Station
Rail Freight Market Survey
Port Productivity Study
Deep Water Quay Study
Passenger/Business Survey
Antrim/Bleach Green Stations Study
Belfast/N'Ards Corridor Study
Approved projects linking Northern Ireland with the Republic of Ireland
Belfast/Dublin Rail Upgrade
Newry By-Pass II
Newry By-Pass III
A5 Omagh Thru-Pass 2
A5 Maghermason
A5 Burndennett
A5 Garvaghy
A5 Leckpatrick
Interreg II
Approved projects developing and improving transport in Northern Ireland
Londonderry
Plough Boat
Concrete Walls for Coal Storage
Log Grab Equipment
Multiuser Freight Centre
Warrenpoint Harbour
Fork Lift Trucks
A32 Tummery Road
B127 Ummera Road
A4 Sligo Road
West End Junctions
A4 Tullyvannon
Dromore Inner Link
Ballyquin Road
Craigmore Road
A2 Newells Cross
A25 Rathfriland Road
Northway/Mill Avenue
A3 Armagh Road
A50 Katesbrige Road
Drumgooland
A50 Bann Road
Ballymagreehan
A50 Katesbridge Road
Moneyslane
A50 Castlewellan Road
Corbett Milltown
A50 Castlewellan Road
Rosies Corner
A50 Castlewellan Road
SE of McCoys Garage
A50 Castlewellan Road
Corbett Lake
A50 Bann Road
Tullynascoo
Ballievy Crossroads
A50 Castlewellan Road
SE of Anglers Rest
A27 Poyntzpass Road
Druminargal
A27 Poyntzpass Road
Monclone
A27 Newry Road
Mr. Dowd:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what funds from the transportation sub-programme of the European Commission 1994-99 have already been spent to date; and what are the projections of expenditure for the next three financial years. [7372]
A27 Auglish Road
A29 Moy Road
Portadown Road
A29 Keady Road/B31 Jctn
Programme for Peace and Reconciliation
Approved projects linking Northern Ireland with the Republic of Ireland
Aghalane Bridge
Aghalane Bridge Border crossing
A509 Enniskillen to border road
Cross-Border Road Signs
The information is given in calendar years consistent with Commission practice. The mecu value is provided using an exchange rate of £1 = 1.22 ecu.
Forecast outturn to the end of 1996: £51.5 million (62.9 mecu)
Forecast outturn to the end of 1997: £22.1 million (27.0 mecu)
Forecast outturn to the end of 1998: £16.3 million (19.9 mecu)
Forecast outturn to the end of 1999: £23.9 million (29.2 mecu)
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