The DUP MLA said, “News reports have been filled over recent days with traffic congestion around Belfast. Whilst there will always be increased traffic in the lead up to Christmas, there can be no doubt that problems have been more acute this year.
The Department must realise that infrastructure should be there to serve the public and service our wider economy, so advising people to work from home isn’t a solution and certainly isn’t a solution for businesses in Belfast who may require additional trade at this time of the year to survive. There needs to be greater input from those involved in business when plans are made, including on the Strategic Oversight Group on traffic issues. There are also questions as to why the group was meeting on a daily basis until last week, but the Minister has now said it will meet weekly.
There must also be a longer-term vision, when we have previously been told that it will be at least 11 years before the York Street Interchange project could be completed. That is one of the most significant junctions, not just in Belfast but for Northern Ireland as a whole yet there appears to be little or no impetus to drive this project forward.
When the DUP secured funding for the York St project it was because we recognised its importance, and the need to ensure we have a road infrastructure that can meet both our present and future challenges.”