Roy Beggs MLA, the Ulster Unionist Party’s Infrastructure spokesperson expressed concern at the Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon’s announcement of further delays to the key York Street Interchange project.
Roy Beggs said:
“It is disappointing that after 8 months of what was trailed as a ‘short sharp review’ into the York Street Junction upgrade, further delays have been announced as the Infrastructure Minister has re-specified the project brief of the scheme, which may well result in the redesign of the scheme.
“This in turn could result in a fresh planning application and consultation, and writing off the significant design and planning investment that has already occurred at public expense.
“At the very least the report which has been given to the Minister from the review of the scheme should be published so that the public can have some understanding why the earlier public investment in gaining planning permission is not being acted upon and may now be written off. If a better scheme can be produced at a lower cost, the public deserve to have some idea of what is being planned.”
Notes to the Editor
York Street Junction is the biggest traffic bottleneck in Northern Ireland, linking the Sydenham bypass, the M2 and the M1 via the West Link. In addition to delayed journeys, congestion results in standing traffic which creates additional pollution in the centre of Belfast which in turn adversely affects the health of those living nearby in the city centre.
