AQO 1420/22-27

Mrs Michelle Guy
Alliance Party
Lagan Valley

Tabled Date: 16/01/2025
Answered On Date: 27/01/2025
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Infrastructure how his Department ensures proactive, consistent and effective communication in relation to disruption on the road network.

Answer:

My Department has approximately 200 CCTV cameras across Northern Ireland that allows my officials to observe road conditions/disruptions. We also work closely with the PSNI and they provide information on some collisions that are likely to impact the road network.

Once an incident is confirmed on the road network and my officials are aware, road users are made aware of the incident by placing information on any of the variable message signs, if any are located in the area. Depending on the type of incident information is placed on the TrafficWatchNI website (which had almost 10 million page visits in 2024), X account (which has over 85,000 followers) or issuing emails to website subscribers (of which there are 1,686).

Officials also work closely with media outlets to provide this information to the public.

My Department also processes approximately 22,000 applications for road or lane closure applications each year. Those planned roadworks that are expected to affect the public most are displayed on my Department’s TrafficWatchNI website.

Given the volume of closures, communication with road users including elected representatives in relation to upcoming roadworks is focused on the busiest routes, primarily the 'A' Class network. Communications used include use of road-side signs on the impacted route in advance of the works, as well as notification on TrafficWatchNI. In some cases, this notification is extended to some busier lower tier roads as resources permit.