Kennedy open to improving unadopted roads process

Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy is open to improving the process for adopting roads in new housing developments.
~ Tuesday, 7 February 2012

In the Assembly today the Minster welcomed the opportunity to debate the issue of surety bonds, which are legally binding agreements that guarantees funding for the provision of completed roads and sewers for new housing developments.

Speaking in the Assembly the Minister said: “I recognise the concerns of local home owners who find themselves in new housing developments, where developers have left roads and sewerage systems unfinished.

“Roads Service and NI Water are making use of the current legislation and procedures to address these problems but this process takes time to complete.

“The current legislation requires developers to enter into a surety bond, which is a formal agreement for the construction and subsequent adoption of roads and sewers in new housing developments. In cases where the construction is not progressing satisfactorily, Roads Service can issue an Article 11, requiring works to be completed. In the last three financial years, Roads Service has served 227 Article 11 notices, 71 of these have led to enforcement action.”

Commenting on the Regional Development Committee’s inquiry into unadopted Roads in Northern Ireland, Danny Kennedy said: “I recognise the role of other relevant Departments and local Councils, including NILGA in this inquiry and the need to compare the process in Northern Ireland with other regions in the UK and the Republic of Ireland.”

In conclusion the Minister said: “I will ensure Roads Service and NI Water officials are available to the Committee throughout their inquiry process.

“I can assure members that Roads Service and NI Water will continue to enforce legislation to offer as much help as possible to new home owners who find themselves in this situation.”

Notes to editors:

1. All media queries to Department for Regional Development Press Office Tel 028 9054 0817. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Office via pager number 07699 715440 and your call will be returned.
2. Legislation that governs the planning and eventual adoption of new roads in housing developments is - the Private Streets (Northern Ireland) Order 1980 and the Private Streets (Amendment) (NI) Order 1992.
3. The adoption of sewers in new housing developments - these are processed by Northern Ireland Water (NI Water) under Articles 161 to 163 of the Water & Sewerage Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006.