O’Dowd reflects on his first year as Infrastructure Minister

Date published: 3 February 2025

Minister O’Dowd said: 

“The Department for Infrastructure plays a hugely significant part in the delivery of public services across the north. Those services are delivered around the clock by hard-working and dedicated people whose work is often unseen until something out of the ordinary happens and the importance of their work to the day-to-day functioning of our society becomes obvious. 

"Water, planning, transport and roads are the foundations underpinning the economic and social fabric of our communities and their effective and efficient delivery are key to unlocking a more prosperous, productive and healthier society."

Outlining some of what has been achieved within the roads remit, the Minister continued:

 “Over the past 12 months, my focus has been on making the most of limited resources to deliver as much as we can.

“One of my top priorities is road safety – and it should be a priority for all of us. I have published a new road safety strategy and action plan, and reinstated funding for road safety advertising to ensure that collectively we do all we can to prevent road deaths and serious injuries.  

“I have taken the decision supported by my Executive colleagues to progress with the A5 Western Transport Corridor. This strategically important route will not only save lives but it will also contribute to economic growth and improve connectivity across the island. 

“Other road schemes – the A1 Junctions, A4 Enniskillen Bypass, Cookstown Bypass and Newry Southern Relief Road are all moving forward. 

“Alongside these new projects I have invested £150m for resurfacing and road maintenance in this financial year which has resulted in the inspection of 84,000km of roads, 85,000 defects repaired and 329 lane km of roads resurfaced.

“I have also launched the Active Travel Delivery Plan for consultation to put in place the foundations for a more active, sustainable transport system, tackling the climate crisis, and providing safe and healthy travel options for all our citizens. Consultation is open until 28 February so there is still time to have your say on this important matter.  Meanwhile active travel schemes are progressing in Ballykelly, Newtownabbey, across the Belfast cycling network and Craigavon and more will be developed in association with local councils.”  

Turning to the delivery of transport Minister O’Dowd said: 

“The operational opening of Grand Central Station is a game-changer and represents our serious intent to encourage shift the from the private car as the first choice for travel to public transport. 

“The publication of the All-Island Strategic Rail Review setting out the strategic vision for the development of the rail system across the island provides an evidence-based framework to help guide future investment in our rail network and will help us meet our climate commitments.

“Ongoing investment in public transport with the roll-out of 100 environmentally sustainable buses for Belfast, Derry, Strabane, Limavady, Coleraine and Portadown and investment in the Coleraine/Derry Phase 3 Rail improvements will provide new choices in favour of public transport for daily travel.

“I have ensured that public transport is affordable and I have protected concessionary fares.  I have also made sure that the delivery of  community transport which is such a vital service for many is protected by providing a 4.2% increase to support staff costs.

“Transport plans are taking shape with Eastern, Fermanagh and Omagh and the North West Transport plans at various stages of development.  These will be important blueprints for transport planning to support our societal needs into the future. 

Reflecting on the importance of matters relating to water and flooding the Minister said:

“Despite the difficult and ongoing financial pressures I am facing, this year I allocated almost half a billion pounds to NI Water.  This is to address the issues with our ageing water infrastructure and to unlock the challenges around housing.  This reflects the central importance I place on water and sewerage services to our society and to protect and improve the water environment.

“I am also progressing water, flooding and drainage legislation to provide guidance on sustainable drainage systems and I have commenced work on ways to alleviate capacity constraints by looking at developer contributions. 

“Flood risk management  is a very important issue and I am pleased that the Belfast Tidal Flood Alleviation scheme has been completed which will already help protect 3000 properties in Belfast.  The Flushbridge Stream Flood Alleviation Scheme has also been completed and procurement for part of the  second phase of the Newry scheme is underway. 

“Feasbility studies looking at potential schemes in Eglinton, Derry city and Downpatrick are ongoing.  I am also keen we continue to develop our own in-house capacity and expertise in flood risk management. This will allow us to take more projects forward, along with even more community resilience activity.

"Our changing climate means we must find new ways to work with nature. In January, I launched a public consultation on the draft Living With Water in Derry Plan which promotes collaborative working to identify and develop sustainable drainage and natural flood management schemes, across the greater Derry city area."

Commenting on progress that has been made in relation to Planning, the Minister said: 

“I recognise that the planning system in the north plays a pivotal role that enables development to meet the needs of our economy and society whilst protecting our unique and special environment.  

“An improvement programme is in place which is positively impacting on performance and the efficiency and effectiveness of the planning system going forward.  Planning application validation checklists have been introduced and planning fees have been uplifted to support the development of the system."

Concluding John O’Dowd said: 

“Demand for driver and vehicle testing services remains high.  In June last year, I introduced Temporary Exemption Certificates for 5 and 7 year old private cars and light goods vehicles, which is having a positive effect on vehicle testing waiting times.  This means that the Agency is on target to achieve an average waiting time of six weeks or less for a private car MOT test by the end of March.”

Looking ahead, Minister O’Dowd said: 

“A lot has been delivered in the past 12 months. Getting infrastructure right and investing in it, can create the foundations for better rural and urban communities.”