Nichola Mallon announces ambitious programme of works - including fixing potholes and streetlights

In a statement to the Assembly Ms Mallon said her department needs resource to support the public transport network and NI Water.

The minister outlined an ambitious programme of investment including a £20m fund for blue/green infrastructure as well as funding for road safety measures, street lights and potholes.

Her announcements included the creation of a transformation pot with support for greenways and £30m for low emission buses, crucial investment in flagship projects and strategic roads, a rural roads pot, 100 schools to benefit from 20mph speed limits scheme and funding to get phase 3 of the Londonderry – Coleraine line back on track.

She said: “It is no secret that the Department for Infrastructure is facing real pressures in its resource budget. While I’ve been able to allocate my budget to support services, serious gaps remain for our public transport network and NI Water.

“The financial climate remains difficult, significantly compounded by the Covid-19 crisis, but I am committed to seizing the opportunities to enable a greener, cleaner, recovery towards a new and better normal for all of us. The decisions I have taken are to ensure DfI plays its part in responding to this crisis and enabling our safe and speedy recovery from it to a new way of living and working.

“This of course requires our communities to have a public transport system and a 21st century water and waste water network to serve the growing population and allow for economic growth. It is vital in the months ahead that funding is secured for these essential services, that are not only critical to our everyday lives but to our economic recovery, supporting our schools, businesses and communities and I will continue to work with Executive colleagues to ensure these vital needs are met.”

She added: “The £20m funding for blue/green infrastructure will support our communities through this transformation, promoting active travel and shaping our places to live in the new normal. This funding will be community led and departmentally supported. In partnership we can ensure lasting change for people across the north.

“I am also maintaining the level of investment in structural maintenance, to ensure we get the basics done. With a £10m pot for rural roads, I want to make sure that citizens, no matter where they live, are not left behind. I have also approved the continuation of works on all flagship projects as well as a number of other strategic road improvement schemes, this investment is key not only to employment across Northern Ireland but also to kick start our economic recovery.

“And transformation won’t stop there, funding will be made available for greenways, low emission buses, park and ride sites and road safety measures, including funding to roll out the 20mph speed limit scheme to some 100 schools across the north.

“As we look forward with hope and Northern Ireland looks to get back on track, I’ve ensured that my commitment to addressing regional imbalance is realised by getting the Derry-Coleraine Phase 3 rail line back on track too.”