Massive York Street road scheme gets green light from minister

Officials will press ahead with plans to rejig Belfast's motorway system, despite doubts about funding for the scheme.
Image of the proposed York Street Interchange. Yorkgate train station and one of the New Lodge towerblocks are circled here for reference.Image of the proposed York Street Interchange. Yorkgate train station and one of the New Lodge towerblocks are circled here for reference.
Image of the proposed York Street Interchange. Yorkgate train station and one of the New Lodge towerblocks are circled here for reference.

Sinn Fein transport minister Chris Hazzard said that the proposal to develop the York Street traffic intersection, close to the Cityside retail park at the northern end of the city centre, will now be the subject of a consultation with “key stakeholders”.

His announcement comes less than a month after he said he was placing the decision to proceed with the scheme “on hold”.

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The Brexit vote, and the anticipated loss of European funding (which it was expected could fund about 40% of the project) was blamed for that decision.

On Tuesday morning, Mr Hazzard announced on his Department for Infrastructure’s website that he has now “confirmed the scheme should progress” – subject to “refinements” suggested by an inquiry into the scheme earlier this year.

He said “consultation will now begin with key stakeholders including local communities”.

He added: “Plans to deliver the scheme are well advanced.

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“However, the £130million funding remains a major challenge with a number of competing priorities across the Executive.

The project could have attracted up to 40% EU funding, but since the referendum vote this funding opportunity is now in doubt.

“I will need to consider this project together with other priorities as part of my Budget 2017-21, however, the York Street Interchange remains a priority for me and I am committed to do all that I can to deliver the scheme within the current financial context, working with the finance minister and other Executive colleagues.”

More to follow.