AQW 4596/22-27

Mr David Honeyford
Alliance Party
Lagan Valley

Tabled Date: 13/10/2022
Answered On Date: 28/10/2022
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Infrastructure, in light of the increased volume of active travel to Moira Train Station and the associated Park and Ride, whether he will give consideration to an exceptional street-lighting programme for Station Road, Moira.

Answer:

I am aware that people are concerned about street lighting close to Moira train station and I also recognise that parking difficulties in the area are contributing to problems for pedestrians; my officials have been working with Translink to seek to address this problem. A section of footway from the Motorway Bridge to Moira Station was previously widened to accommodate commuters and pedestrians wishing to go to the station and this was recently extended by approximately 110m from the motorway bridge towards Moira.

I am also aware that the expansion of Park & Ride facilities at Moira remains a priority project for Translink and completion of this project would reduce use of the overflow car park and consequently footway parking.

Street lighting is currently situated at either side of the train station, in the direction of Glenavy as far as the Chestnut Hill Road junction and in the direction of Moira as far as the bridge near Ballycanal Holiday homes. Locations beyond these, which include Station Road, are rural in nature and do not meet the current minimum criteria for the provision of street lighting. Our street lighting policy helps ensure lighting is provided where it is most needed as well as reducing future maintenance and energy costs and environmental impacts. To avoid setting a precedent it is important that this policy is applied consistently and fairly and as such I am not prepared to approve an exceptional case for Station Road, Moira.