AQW 21499/17-22

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 06/07/2021
Answered On Date: 22/07/2021
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Infrastructure to detail the ring-fenced funded projects for 2021/22 in East Londonderry.

Answer:

Ring fenced funding is funding agreed by the Executive for a specific purpose which cannot be used to meet other departmental pressures. The only ring-fenced budgets allocated to DfI during 2021-22 are: Flagships; COVID funding (£9.2m to NIW and £31m for lost income); in-year allocation to NIW (£12.5m); and Rural Travel (£400k). Therefore the only ring-fenced funding which will benefit Derry relates to the A6.

Although not ring-fenced but within the remit of my budget decisions, there are a number of capital infrastructure schemes which will be progressing in Derry during 2021-22. This includes Water Treatment and Waste Water Enhancement Works and Rail and Bus projects including the construction of a bridge, to enable the closure of four User Worked Crossings, work on the Coleraine to Derry line and other refurbishment/improvement works. The Ballymoney to Coleraine Re-Railing, Eglinton Passing Loop and Coleraine to Derry Phase 3 projects will continue to be progressed and funding has also been provided for a feasibility study for Zero Emission buses in Foyle Metro and Coleraine.

Roads and Rivers will be undertaking maintenance and development of our road and river infrastructure assets which geographically fall into the Derry Assembly constituency. My Departmental officials will be meeting with councillors in Derry and Strabane District Council and Causeway Coast and Glens District Council to detail plans in those Council areas, following which information will be made available on the Department’s website.