Latest news with #DfI
Belfast Telegraph
6 days ago
- General
- Belfast Telegraph
Popular wildflower meadow on verge of Belfast road cut down due to ‘road safety' concerns
Residents were shocked to find the meadow cut to within a few centimetres last Wednesday, May 21, after looking forward to its annual bloom. Ryan Bradley lives close to the area — a short distance from the Forestside Shopping Centre — and had unofficially 'adopted' the grass verge in 2023 to plant a native wildflower patch to boost biodiversity among pollinators in the area. He had placed a sign on the verge asking for it not to be cut — and for the past couple of years it hadn't been, allowing wildflowers to flourish. A spokesperson for the DfI, however, said that the area in question is part of a 'sightline' and needed to be cut to 'ensure visibility for all road users'. 'The department is responsible for the maintenance of the public road network and annually cuts about 45,000km of grass verges,' they said. 'The area in question, on the Saintfield Road, is part of a sightline and was cut to ensure increased visibility for all road users. 'We are committed to protecting wildlife and promoting biodiversity, and our grass-cutting policy was amended in 2022 to reflect that. However, road safety must always be our priority.' Mr Bradley told the Belfast Telegraph that the reason he selected that particular verge was because it was far enough back from the road to ensure it did not impact motorists. "While I haven't had any official permission to do this, over the past couple of years I didn't think there had been any problems, as wildflowers had been left alone,' he said. 'They were not left to grow to a ridiculous height, and I maintain it myself. I cut it every September or early October, and every fortnight I edge the area to prevent these so-called sightline issues. 'The only motorists who would be affected would be those emerging from the junction from Breda Park, turning right towards Forestside. But there is a cycle path and a large space of pavement before you can even see the flowers, so this just doesn't make sense. 'If that was an issue, why didn't they just take the sign down? It's taller than the flowers ever get to! And the flowers hadn't even begun to bloom yet.' He added that it was even more disappointing that this happened during a well-known conservation campaign called 'No Mow May', which encourages people to refrain from mowing their lawns for the month of May to boost biodiversity and support pollinators. 'I manage grasslands for a living with a local conservation charity and anyone working in this sector would know that you don't cut this early in the year,' he said. 'The first flowers, usually the Cuckoo flower, comes out in April, and different species bloom in succession until September, the last one usually being the Devil's-bit Scabious. 'I was expecting the verge to take about five years to establish, because it takes time to maintain these sorts of meadows. But I only got two. Whoever did this clearly hadn't a clue. 'Even if it was done by accident, an apology would be great. But this won't put me off. I still hope to continue to plant wildflowers and improve the biodiversity of the area by doing so.'
Belfast Telegraph
26-05-2025
- Belfast Telegraph
Pro-A5 carriageway campaigners urge construction to commence after ‘another family devastated by this road'
Bernadette 'Bernie' Cranley (82) died after the crash on the Mellon Road between Omagh and Newtownstewart on Saturday. The Co Donegal woman's silver Toyota Vitz collided with a blue Suzuki Vitara at around 12.30pm leaving the other female driver, who was in her 70s, seriously injured. The A5 Enough Is Enough group extended condolences to the grieving family of Ms Cranley and pointed to the latest tragedy as a reminder of why the upgrade is needed. 'Another family devastated by this road,' it posted on social media. 'Our thoughts and prayers are also with the lady who was seriously injured in the same accident. 'We are very cognisant of the fact that we are currently waiting on the judge's decision on the latest objection – what more evidence does he need that this objection should be thrown out? How many more people have to die?' Described as one the most dangerous roads on the island, there have been over 50 fatalities on the A5 since 2006. Plans were unveiled by the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) in 2007 to upgrade the route which will require the compulsory purchase of land to construct the new road – the scheme has been delayed by opposition, legal challenges and funding issues. Last October Mr O'Dowd confirmed his intention to proceed with plans to improve the main passage between Londonderry and Aughnacloy as part of a cross-border project to better connect Dublin to the north west region. The Alternative A5 Alliance oppose the project on the basis that its members, as landowners overlapping the proposed roadway, stand to lose as a result of it. More than 3,000 acres sprawled over 300 farms will be impacted by the project. The A5 Alliance delayed its approval in both 2013 and 2018 citing that DfI and its precursor group unlawfully failed to impose a time limit for carrying the scheme. The group has submitted a fresh judicial review against its construction claiming Stormont's targets for cutting greenhouse gas emissions have been violated. In March the High Court heard how residents forced to sell their homes as part of the scheme had suffered a violation of their human rights. However, speaking at a press conference for the approval of the project back in October, Mr O'Dowd insisted it will provide the west with 'critically important infrastructure.' "Now we have achieved that, it's about moving towards construction and giving the people of the west, and indeed all of us, proper infrastructure where we can go about and do our daily business and benefit the economy,' the Sinn Fein MLA said. "The project will provide for critically important infrastructure, create jobs, benefit the economy and improve journey times. "We do recognise there are serious safety concerns on that road ahead of the upgrade.'
BBC News
26-03-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Grand Central Station: Irish signs at Belfast hub to cost £150,000
Irish language signage at Grand Central Station in Belfast is set to cost about £150, Minister Liz Kimmins confirmed on Monday plans to install the bilingual signs later in the language campaigners had called for the move, but some unionist politicians have criticised the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) said the funding of "approximately £150,000" would include changes to physical signs and to displays on ticket vending machines. The £340m public transport hub Grand Central Station opened in phases from said she was "committed to the visibility and promotion of Irish language" and it was important the station was "reflective of all citizens".She told BBC Radio Ulster's Evening Extra programme there were discussions with public transport operator Translink over the cost of new signage."We're in a better position now of understanding what's needed, how much it will cost, and those types of things, and we're happy to move ahead now," she a statement a DfI spokeswoman said the department provided Translink with funding for "capital improvement projects" such as Grand Central said the funding would include changes to physical signs and ticket vending machines. A Translink spokeswoman said the signage was being funded by DfI."Design work to progress additional use of Irish on physical signage and on ticket vending machines at Belfast Grand Central Station will now commence following the announcement by DfI," she language campaigners protested at Grand Central Station over the signage issue shortly after it opened to the at the time defended its handling of the matter, saying that Irish was among the languages used on "multi-lingual welcome signage".It had said discussions about signage were continuing with interest groups and political Unionist Party assembly member Deborah Erskine, chairwoman of Stormont's infrastructure committee, on Monday described the minister's decision as "misguided".She said funding "could and should have been better spent on fixing our roads and improving infrastructure for everyone".Traditional Unionist Voice assembly member Timothy Gaston said it was a "divisive" said he had lodged an assembly petition in an attempt to have the decision referred to Northern Ireland's power-sharing executive for a cross-community petitions need the support of 30 members of the infrastructure minister on Monday said the Irish language was "for everyone" and "nothing to fear".The Sinn Féin minister said she was "committed to delivering equality for everyone".On Tuesday, she told the Northern Ireland Assembly an equality screening exercise on the signage decision found it would have a "minor positive impact".
BBC News
25-03-2025
- Business
- BBC News
NI Water: Forensic accountants appointed to investigate overspend
Forensic accountants have been instructed to investigate why NI Water has been unable to live within it's resourced budget allocation this decision by Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins comes after NI Water informed the department of an estimated overspend of about £ said the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) had frequent engagement with NI Water throughout the year and had "given as many opportunities as possible to try and ensure they are doing everything they can to live within their budget."NI Water said it "will be working with DfI in line with Minister's instructions". Speaking during a statement in the Northern Ireland Assembly, Kimmins said her department had allocated an opening resource budget of £137m to NI water which represented almost one quarter of the total resource allocation available to the addition to this, NI water also received £11.5m resources in year and £2.9m to deal with the aftermath of storm Éowyn."I think it's hugely disappointing to me that despite ongoing engagement with the chair on the need to live within budget, the board of NI Water has decided not to take action to do so," she said."I hope that everyone will recognise that my decision to appoint a forensic accountant is a necessary step, that takes a measured approach." Difficult decisions The minister said protecting public funds is of the utmost importance, particularly in light of the wider pressures faced across all areas of public services."Difficult decisions are having to be made across all Departments and Arm's Length Bodies and therefore it is essential that I fully understand the budgetary management decisions that the Board of NI Water has taken this year that have led to this disappointing outcome" she added.
BBC News
07-03-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
Northern Ireland: MOT test exemptions extended to manage waiting times
One-year temporary exemption certificates (TECs) are to be extended in Northern Ireland to help cut MOT waiting certificates were introduced last year, allowing some motorists to continue to legally drive their vehicles as long as they are roadworthy, taxed and licensing information shows that around 107,000 five and seven-year-old private cars may be eligible for a TEC under the intervention has reduced MOT waiting times from more than100 days at the end of May 2024 to around 30 days in early February 2025, according to the Department for Infrastructure (DfI). The extension applies for another year and the TECs will be automatically processed by the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA).Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins said: "This extension will allow the DVA to continue to manage the increased demand for MOTs until new testing facilities at Hydebank and Mallusk are open for vehicle testing." Lengthy delays "Since the introduction of TECs, the DVA has continued to maximise its vehicle testing capacity at its existing 15 test centres through a variety of measures, including recruitment and overtime," Kimmins added."TECs have helped improve service delivery while minimising any risk to road safety."There has been a backlog in the MOT system since testing was suspended several times due to the Covid-19 have since faced lengthy delays trying to book a test. Last month, the DfI launched a consultation on whether MOT tests for some private cars, motorcycles and light goods vehicles should be changed to every two consultation is running for 12 weeks, from Monday 22 January until Wednesday 16 April.
