Mr Wilson Clyde asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail (a) the discussions he has had with British Airways in relation to their cancellation of services from Belfast International Airport (b) if he has asked them to reconsider withdrawing their service and (c) if he is aware of any alternative airline carrier that would be willing to undertake this service.

(AQW 300/01)

The Minister for Regional Development (Mr Robinson): Air Services is a 'reserved' matter and thus is the responsibility of the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions. Notwithstanding this, I and some of my Party colleagues met with representatives of British Airways on 17 October and voiced our concern at the company's announcement of its intention to withdraw their Belfast/Heathrow service. We also urged them to reconsider their decision. In addition predecessor, Gregory Campbell, has written separately to the Rt. Hon. Stephen Byers MP, Secretary of State for Transport asking him to press British Airways to review their decision and suggesting that, should he be unsuccessful in this, he should use his influence to secure the existing British Airways take-off and landing slots at London Heathrow for an alternative airline service to Northern Ireland.

Since British Airways made its announcement, BMI British Midland has announced 4 new flights from Belfast International Airport to London Heathrow. I understand that Belfast International Airport is examining a number of other possibilities.

Mr Wilson Clyde asked the Minister for Regional Development what assurances has he received that British Midland will remain committed to providing a shuttle service from Belfast City to London in light of the British Airways cancellation of services from Belfast International Airport.

(AQW 301/01)

Mr Robinson: None. However, Sir Michael Bishop, Chairman of BMI British Midland has publicly reaffirmed that BMI remains committed to providing air services between Belfast and London's Heathrow airport. Indeed, in responding to news of British Airways' planned withdrawal of the Belfast to London Heathrow service, BMI announced that they still intend to operate 4 daily flights from Belfast International Airport to London Heathrow in addition to the 7 daily flights from Belfast City Airport. Moreover, BMI British Midlands' involvement with Belfast City Airport is underpinned by a legally binding commercial contract.

Mr Wilson Clyde asked the Minister for Regional Development if Belfast City Airport have any plans to extend their 9.30pm deadline for landings/take offs in order to facilitate the expected increase in passenger journeys resulting from the withdrawal of British Airways services at Belfast International Airport.

(AQW 302/01)

Mr Robinson: This is a matter for Belfast City Airport to consider, however, I understand that it has no plans at present to make application to the Department of the Environment (NI) to have the present 9.30 pm deadline for scheduled air traffic reviewed. If they were to pursue this matter, this would require a change in the operating conditions attached to DOE's planning approval.

Mr David McClarty asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the process used by Translink to assess the demand for new bus services.

(AQW 322/01)

Mr Robinson: Translink has advised that it assesses the demand for new bus services by considering transport studies, feedback from Passenger Focus Groups and from weekly-completed customer questionnaires. In addition, Translink's District Managers develop close working relationships with local communities, thereby gaining a good knowledge of the requirements for public transport in each area. Translink also works closely with the Planning Service in order to assess the likely impact of any new developments for public transport. Translink must, of course, operate within existing financial constraints, which mean that it cannot introduce a new service unless there is a reasonable prospect of sufficient passenger demand to make the service commercially viable in the longer term.

The Lord Kilclooney asked the Minister for Regional Development what plans he has to increase the level of street lighting at the pathway from Quarry Close to Brae Park in Ballygowan; and to make a statement.

(AQW 343/01)

Mr Robinson: I understand that there are two footpaths from Quarry Close (one from each end of the terrace, 11-18 Quarry Close) to Brae Park. These footpaths connect to, and abut, a third footpath which runs along the rear of Brae Park.

My Department's Roads Service has advised me that one of the footpaths leading from Quarry Close to Brae Park is lighted to an adequate standard. The other is not lighted but receives some back-spill lighting from a street light in Brae Park. Neither of these footpaths, nor the third footpath to the rear of Brae Park, have been adopted into the public road network and, as such, they are not the responsibility of Roads Service. I have no plans therefore to increase the level of street lighting at this location.

The Lord Kilclooney asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the date of the last traffic census, including the volume of traffic recorded, in the following three locations (a) the road between Ballynure and Larne (b) the road between the University of Ulster, Jordanstown and Carrickfergus and (c) the main Dublin Road between Newry and the border; and to make a statement.

(AQW 379/01)

Mr Robinson: My Department's Roads Service has advised that the most recent traffic counts on the above routes are as follows:

ROUTE DATE DAILY TRAFFIC

FLOW

(a) A8 between Ballynure and Larne January 2001 16,022 vehicles

(b) A2 between the University of Ulster, March 2001 27,078 vehicles

Jordanstown and Carrickfergus

(c) A1 between Newry and the Border September 2000 19,036 vehicles

Whilst all three routes mentioned above are trunk roads, the A1 and A8 routes form part of the European Union's Trans European Network and have been designated in the Department's Regional Development Strategy as forming part of the Eastern Seaboard Corridor. The A2 is primarily a commuter route.

Mr Jim Shannon asked the Minister for Regional Development what action is taken to ensure that traffic signs are not obscured by overgrown trees and shrubs.

(AQW 389/01)

Mr Robinson: It is the responsibility of property owners, or occupiers of lands, to lop trees and cut back shrubs that obscure traffic signs or generally obstruct the passage of vehicles or pedestrians. At the start of each year, my Department's Roads Service places notices in the local press and in farming journals reminding owners/occupiers of their responsibility.

Overgrown trees and shrubs that obscure road signing are usually identified by Roads Service staff during their routine maintenance inspections. As a first step, owners/occupiers are identified and are requested to co-operate in removing or cutting back the offending trees or shrubs. If that fails, Roads Service has powers under Article 50 of the Roads (Northern Ireland) Order 1993 to serve a notice on an owner/occupier requiring them to do the work. Where an owner/occupier does not comply with the requirements of the notice, Roads Service may carry out the necessary works and recover the costs.

Mr Derek Hussey asked the Minister for Regional Development, following an on site meeting with his officials on 6 July 2001, to detail progress on the adoption of a road at Dergview Phase II, Castlederg.

(AQW 400/01)

Mr Robinson: I assume that the question relates to Phase II of the Dergvale development in Castlederg.

You will be aware that, during the meeting with the developer, local residents and Departmental officers on 6 July 2001, the developer contended that there were problems in the public sewer system and that these needed to be resolved before the streetworks in his development could be completed. Water Service officials undertook to investigate the matter. I can confirm that this investigation is at an advanced stage.

As soon as the investigation is completed and, if necessary, any remedial works have been carried out, Roads Service officials will contact the developer again in an effort to have the remaining streetworks brought up to adoption standards as quickly as possible.

Mr Mick Murphy asked the Minister for Regional Development if he will pursue the road safety concerns of residents of Post Office Lane, Newcastle.

(AQW 405/01)

Mr Robinson: My Department's Roads Service is not aware of any recent road safety concerns raised by residents of Post Office Lane. However, following representations from a local resident in 1995, Roads Service considered introducing a length restriction for vehicles using the street. While this proposal was subsequently dropped, due to enforcement difficulties, an advisory HGV sign was erected at the Central Promenade end of the street for the purpose of discouraging large vehicles from using it.

Having again inspected the location with RUC Traffic Management in response to this query, Roads Service officials consider that no additional traffic management measures are appropriate. In particular, a one-way system in the street would not be feasible due to the need to maintain access arrangements to the rear of the Post Office.

Mr Mark Robinson asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail (a) the bus patronage on the Saintfield Road since the introduction of the Quality Bus Corridor and (b) for the last three years.

(AQW 413/01)

Mr Robinson: A survey carried out before the introduction of the Quality Bus Corridor on 9 February 2000 during the period 7.30 am to 6.30 pm counted 2,708 citybound and 2,992 countrybound passengers at the 'Inns' and 3,662 citybound and 3,380 countrybound passengers at the Ormeau Bridge. A similar survey carried out after the introduction of the Quality Bus Corridor on 11 October 2000 counted 3,278 citybound and 3,961 countrybound passengers at the Inns and 4,512 citybound and 4,640 countrybound passengers at Ormeau Bridge. Based on these surveys there was an increase of 570 citybound and 969 countrybound passengers at the Inns and an increase of 850 citybound and 1,260 countrybound passengers at the Ormeau Bridge. These survey results indicate that bus patronage on the Quality Bus Corridor has increased by an average of 22% on citybound services and 35% on countrybound services. Translink has advised that it does not have any data available on passenger journeys along the Saintfield Road in the period prior to February 2000.

Mr Seamus Close asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail any discussion he has had with British Airways with a view to having its Belfast/Heathrow route transferred to one if its franchise carriers.

(AQW 423/01)

Mr Robinson: I would refer Mr Close to my written answer to Assembly Question 300/01.

Mr Seamus Close asked the Minister for Regional Development what action he has taken to encourage British Airways to reorganise its business to reduce operating costs and wastage, as has been done at Glasgow, Birmingham and Manchester, in order to return the Belfast/Heathrow route to profitability.

(AQW 424/01)

Mr Robinson: I would refer Mr Close to my written answer to Assembly Question 300/01.

Mr Seamus Close asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail any discussion he has had with British Airways to encourage them to surrender its landing slots to another carrier to enable the Belfast/Heathrow route to be saved.

(AQW 425/01)

Mr Robinson: I would refer Mr Close to my written answer to Assembly Question 300/01.

Mr Derek Hussey asked the Minister for Regional Development, pursuant to AQW 3435/00 and AQW 157/01, explain how "in planning for new bus stations Translink consider the extent of usage of bus services to be a more relevant factor" but yet have stated that "it does not have figures to indicate the extent of usage of bus services in the towns".

(AQW 463/01)

Mr Robinson: Translink has advised that at present it cannot desegregate its figures for the usage of bus services by depot to provide usage figures for individual towns within depot areas. However the introduction of a new integrated ticketing system across the Translink operating companies, including Ulsterbus should in the future provide more detailed management information. It is anticipated that this equipment should be available in the Omagh depot around Spring 2002.

The Lord Kilclooney asked the Minister for Regional Development what representations have been made to secure the Belfast International/London Heathrow slots with (a) the British Airports Authority and (b) the European Commission; and to make a statement.

(AQW 467/01)

Mr Robinson: In relation to (a), I would refer Lord Kilclooney to my written answer to Assembly Question 300/01 copy attached. As far as (b) is concerned, this is a matter in the first instance for the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions. As I indicated in my earlier response to AQW 300/01, my predecessor, Gregory Campbell has written to Mr Byers to seek his assistance in securing these slots.

Mr Derek Hussey asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail those housing developments in West Tyrone where road adoption is being delayed due to (a) non co-operation from developers and (b) other considerations.

(AQW 488/01)

Mr Robinson: As advised by my predecessor, in response to your Written Assembly Question AQW 56/01, under the Private Streets (NI) Order 1980 it is the responsibility of developers to bring roads and sewers up to the required standards for adoption by my Department.

I understand that there are approximately 230 housing development sites within West Tyrone, all at various pre-adoption stages. Many variables dictate the progress of housing developments and hence completion of the streetworks. These include house sales, popularity of areas, phasing of developments and developers' commitment to completing all outstanding streetworks.

In this context, it would be difficult to define precisely what is meant by adoptions that are being delayed due to non co-operation of developers and to differentiate those from adoptions that are being delayed because of other considerations. To attempt to do so and provide the information requested for all development sites in West Tyrone would require on analysis of the state of play in each site and would involve considerable staffing resources. As such, the information requested could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. I can assure you, however, that my Departments Roads Service will continue to work closely with developers to encourage them to bring sites up to adoption standards as quickly as possible.

Mr David Hilditch asked the Minister for Regional Development to give his assessment of Whitehead promenade specifically the section which has not been recently upgraded.

(AQW 492/01)

Mr Robinson: I understand that, last year, Carrickfergus Borough Council completed an environmental improvement scheme to upgrade the section of the Promenade for which it is responsible. The remaining section is the responsibility of my Department's Roads Service.

In line with its road maintenance procedures, Roads Service inspects its section every eight weeks. These inspections, together with any necessary follow-up repairs, ensure that the structural integrity of the carriageway and walkway is maintained. Roads Service considers that its section of the Promenade is currently in a safe and acceptable condition.

Mr David Hilditch asked the Minister for Regional Development to outline his strategic plan for cycle lanes in the Carrickfergus Borough Council area.

(AQW 493/01)

Mr Robinson: One of the key elements of my Department's Northern Ireland Cycling Strategy, published in June last year, is to support the development of the second phase of the National Cycle Network. The first phase of the Network, which is substantially complete, comprises approximately 848 km of cycle network and the second phase will include the provision of a link from the existing Network facilities at Whiteabbey to both Carrickfergus and Larne. Development of the second phase of the Network will largely be dependent on the availability of European funding and tourism grants.

When the connection to Carrickfergus is completed, my Department's Roads Service intends to develop links between the Network and schools, colleges, bus and rail stations and the centre of commerce. Cycle routes will also be developed through traffic calmed residential areas. Carrickfergus Borough Council, the local community and local cycle interest groups will, of course, have a major role to play in the development of cycle routes within their area.

Mr David Hilditch asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the number of roads in the Carrickfergus area which have not been adopted by his Department.

(AQW 494/01)

Mr Robinson: There are many roads and laneways across Northern Ireland that have not been adopted into the public road network. My Department does not have details of all such roads and laneways.

It has, however, records of private streets that have been determined through the planning process where it is the responsibility of developers to bring roads and sewers up to required standards for adoption by my Department. A list detailing those private streets, which have not yet been adopted by my Department, within development sites in the Carrickfergus Borough Council area has been placed in the Assembly Library.

Mr Ken Robinson asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail (a) the potential additional costs incurred by extending free public transport to both men and women who are aged sixty and over and (b) what assessment he has made of the impact of current arrangements on the statutory rights of women.

(AQW 516/01)

Mr Robinson: The annual cost of extending free travel to include men and women between the ages of 60 to 64 is currently estimated at £2.3m. More robust estimates of the likely cost will be available following the implementation of electronic ticketing in April 2002.

The Concessionary Fares Scheme complies with the Sex Discrimination (NI) Order 1976, which requires men and women to be treated equally. Any scheme providing concessions at different ages would contravene that legislation. The Scheme does not impact adversely on the statutory rights of women.

Mr David Hilditch asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the number of passengers using the railway stations between Larne Harbour and Ballycarry over the past five years.

(AQW 518/01)

Mr Robinson: Translink has advised that it does not have the data for the financial years prior to 1998/99.

Translink has provided the following information about passenger journeys for those stations between Larne Harbour and Ballycarry during the last three financial years.