AQW 4291/22-27

Mr Peter McReynolds
Alliance Party
East Belfast

Tabled Date: 07/10/2022
Answered On Date: 24/10/2022
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Infrastructure for an update on Blue Green Infrastructure projects in East Belfast.

Answer:

I am keen to support sustainable transport options that connect communities, tackle the impact of climate change and improve lives. A number of blue green infrastructure projects have been completed in East Belfast with several others currently planned.

Earlier this year my Department widened a portion of the Comber Greenway from Billy Neil Playing Fields to the Enler River Bridge. As part of this project, maintenance work adjacent to the Enler River Bridge was also completed.

My Department has also completed tree and shrub planting at the following locations:

•Comber Greenway (additional sites to those already completed in 2021);

•Armitage Close, Sydenham; and

•Carncaver Road, Lisnasharragh.

A number of small-scale accessible dropped kerb schemes have been identified in the East Belfast area including; Belmont Road and Dundela Area, Euston Street, Inverary Avenue, Tamery Pass and Montrose Street South. These are due to be installed during the 2022/23 financial year.

Proposals for a Sydenham Greenway have undergone public consultation and my officials are currently finalising the Consultation report.

Informal consultation on the proposed improvements to the Cycle route on Island Street is now complete. Work on finalising the design is underway and officials plan to formally consult on proposals in early 2023.

Similarly, my officials have completed informal consultation on the proposed Cycle route on Montgomery Road. Work on finalising the design is underway and officials plan to formally consult on proposals in early 2023.

It is also planned to provide a link from Millars Lane to the Comber Greenway in the 2023/24 financial year.

My Department is currently preparing a feasibility study to enhance the Ravenhill Road section of the Belfast Cycling Network from the Albertbridge Road to the junction with the Ormeau Road.