Written Answers to Questions - Northern Ireland Assembly

Friday 20 July 2012 Written Answers
Sub-Group. The development of an Adaptation Programme by the CDWG-CC reflects a coordinated effort
across departments to respond effectively to climate change. Therefore, I do not have plans to develop
a separate climate change adaptation strategy.
Northern Ireland Water also maintains a Climate Change Adaptation Strategy, Action Plan and
Monitoring Plan aimed at adapting its drinking water and waste water assets to the risks associated
with climate change. My Department’s Roads Service takes account of Climate Change factors in the
built environment.
Repairing Street Lighting
Mr McGlone asked the Minister for Regional Development whether there are currently any delays in
repairing street lighting.
(AQW 13574/11-15)
Mr Kennedy: My Department’s Roads Service has advised that there is currently no general delay in
repairing street lighting. At present, Roads Service is operating its normal summertime cycle of street
lighting night scouting, that is, lights are inspected once every four weeks, with follow up repairs carried
out on any defects identified.
I would advise the Member that any street lighting faults, which occur outside of the inspection cycle,
should be reported to the relevant Roads Service Division in the first instance.
TEN-T Funding
Mr Allister asked the Minister for Regional Development what applications have been made for TEN-T
funding following the EU Commission’s call for applications in January 2012; and with what result.
(AQW 13586/11-15)
Mr Kennedy: The TEN-T Executive Agency announced an Annual Call for funding applications in January
2012 and my Department submitted applications for funding towards the following projects:
(i) Coleraine to Londonderry Track Relay - funding support of approximately £4 million was sought ;
and
(ii) a study on developing the design of the York Street Inter-change - funding support of approximately
£1 million was sought.
In addition, I can advise that my Department also submitted a joint application for funding with
the Republic of Ireland’s Electricity Supply Board. The application was submitted for funding of
approximately €1.9million towards the installation of rapid charge points for electric vehicles, and a
supporting IT system, on the TEN-T road network in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
It is expected that the TEN-T Executive Agency will formally announce whether the applications have
been successful by the autumn.
Disused Railway Lines
Mrs Overend asked the Minister for Regional Development (i) to detail the total length of disused
railway lines; (ii) for a list of unused railway tracks, broken down by (a) length; and (b) constituency; and
(iii) to list the current owners of the land on which the disused railway lines are found; and (iv) whether
there are plans to utilise that land.
(AQW 13599/11-15)
Mr Kennedy: Translink has advised that there are only two lines in public ownership that might
fall under this description. They are Lisburn (Knockmore Junction) to Antrim and Greenisland to
Monkstown. The former, which covers 18.5 miles, is in the South Antrim constituency and the latter,
which is 1.5 miles long, is in the East Antrim constituency.
WA 618