AQW 3248/22-27

Mr Jim Allister KC
Traditional Unionist Voice
North Antrim

Tabled Date: 20/09/2022
Answered On Date: 06/10/2022
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Infrastructure what is the budget of Northern Division for (i) active travel projects, including cycle paths; and (ii) road maintenance, including repair of potholes.

Answer:

In the absence of an Executive, budgets have not been agreed for the 2022-23 financial year. However, to ensure that capital spending is maximised to deliver much needed investment in our infrastructure, I agreed capital allocations for my Department, which include the following for Northern Division.

(i) I allocated £3.3m capital for Blue/Green active travel projects which will benefit Northern Division. This includes Pedestrian and Cycling Measures. Additionally there may be some active travel expenditure planned as part of network development and Strategic Road Improvement projects, however, it is not possible to disaggregate that investment from the relevant scheme allocation.

(ii) For road maintenance, I have allocated an opening amount of £15.4m capital to Northern Division to permit delivery of essential structural maintenance. Resource allocations for road maintenance activities, including the repair of potholes, have not been finalised due to the significant inescapable resource pressures facing my Department this financial year and possible actions that may be required to reduce expenditure.