AQW 50104/22-27

Mr John Blair
Alliance Party
South Antrim

Tabled Date: 01/07/2026
Answered On Date: 22/07/2026
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Infrastructure to detail any assessment that has been made of the vulnerability of Northern Ireland’s (i) road; (ii) rail; and (iii) public transport, infrastructure to extreme heat.

Answer:

My Department has not undertaken a standalone assessment of the vulnerability of the road, rail and public transport infrastructure to extreme heat. However, the Department and transport operators routinely monitor and manage heat-related risks as part of ongoing asset management, maintenance and operational planning activities.

During the recent period of warmer temperatures, Roads officials experienced a small number of isolated cases of surface bleeding, which were addressed promptly with minimal disruption to road users. Translink also monitors weather conditions and rail temperatures and, where necessary, implements operational measures, including temporary speed restrictions, to protect infrastructure and maintain services.