Proceedings of the Regional Development Committee
Minutes of meeting held in public session on
Wednesday, 20th February 2002 in the Senate Chamber, Parliament Buildings
Present were:
Mr A Maginness (Chairman)
Mr A McFarland (Deputy Chairman)
Mr J Byrne
Mr D Ervine
Mr W Hay
Mr D Hussey
Mr R Hutchinson
Mr P McNamee
Mr M Robinson
Apology:
Mr PJ Bradley
Mr G Savage
In Attendance:
Mr L Barr (Committee Clerk)
Mr N Currie (Assistant Committee Clerk)
Mrs S Young (Executive Support)
Miss J Massey (Administrative Support)
The meeting was called to order at 10.40 am.
1. Minutes of last meeting
The minutes of the meeting held on 13th February 2002 were agreed.
2. Statutory Rules
The Committee considered one Statutory Rule, subject to negative resolution,
which has been made and laid in the Assembly.
Question Put and Agreed: That the Regional Development Committee
has considered the Statutory Rule 10/2002 -
The Street Works (Register, Notices, Directions and Designations) Regulations
(Northern Ireland) 2002
and has no objection to the Rule.
3. Antrim to Knockmore Railway Line
At 10.45 am the Minister and officials gave a presentation on the Antrim to
Knockmore Railway Line. The Minister was accompanied by:
Mr Ted Hesketh - Managing Director, Translink
Mr John Barnett - Infrastructure and Property Executive, Translink
Mr Paul Sweeney - DRD
Ms Lindsay Hodges - DRD
The Minister outlined the background to the issue and briefed the Committee
on the results of the Equality Impact Assessment.
The Minister also outlined the cost of keeping the railway line open and the
benefits of the bus substitution service.
After the presentation, the Minister and officials answered Members' questions.
At 11.42 am representatives from Antrim and Lisburn Borough Councils gave
their views on the issue. Ms Geraldine Girvan outlined the views of Antrim Borough
Council. This was followed by Councillor Faloon and Colin McClintock who gave
the views of Lisburn Borough Council.
Both Antrim and Lisburn Borough Councils raised similar issues, particularly
that any decision to discontinue the service is premature in light of key strategies
such as the Regional Transportation Strategy and the Belfast Metropolitan Area
Plan which are still being formulated.
Furthermore, closure of this railway line would make the possibility of a
link to the International Airport even less likely.
Mr Ervine left the meeting at 12.04 pm
After the presentation, the representatives answered Members' questions.
Mr McFarland joined the meeting at 12.17 pm
At 12.19 pm representatives from Transport 2000 and the Crumlin Residents
Association gave their views on the issue.
Dr Liz Fawcett outlined the views of Transport 2000.
Dr Fawcett argued that the Equality Impact Assessment was not comprehensive
and failed to fully assess the impact on the Section 75 groups listed in the
Northern Ireland Act 1998.
Mr McFarland left the meeting at 12.30 pm
The Crumlin Development Association was represented by Mr Roy Beattie, Mr
Oliver Frawley and Ms Fiona Haineswort.
The Crumlin Residents Association questioned the capital expenditure and track
maintenance costs that the Department had stated as necessary to maintain the
line. The representatives also questioned the passenger usage figures given
by the Department.
Mr Byrne left the meeting at 1.06 pm
After the presentation, Dr Fawcett and the Crumlin Development Association
representatives answered Members' questions.
At 1.29 pm the Minister responded to the remarks made by those who had taken
part in the meeting and emphasised that any decision to discontinue the service
would be taken by the Assembly.
The Chairman thanked the Minister and officials and they left the meeting
at 1.46 pm
4. AOB
Newtownstewart By Pass
Some Members asked for the Newtownstewart By Pass be listed for discussion
at next week's meeting.
5. Date of the next meeting
The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday 27th February 2002
at 10.30 am. in room 135 Parliament Buildings.
The meeting adjourned at 1.47 pm.
13 February 2002 / Menu
/ 27 February 2002
|
