Minister O’Dowd engages with Northern Ireland Connectivity Coalition
Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd MLA met with the Northern Ireland Connectivity Coalition, a newly formed group of stakeholders from the transport, hospitality, and tourism sectors, at the Fitzwilliam Hotel in Belfast.
The Coalition, led by Hospitality Ulster CEO Colin Neill, was established to address connectivity challenges in Northern Ireland and their economic implications.
During the meeting on August 7th 2024, Minister O’Dowd emphasised the critical role of transport infrastructure in supporting the hospitality and tourism industries, which are integral to the regional economy.
O’Dowd stated: “The hospitality and tourism sectors are vital cogs in the economy of the north and I fully recognise the key role our transport infrastructure plays in supporting the industry by getting people into our towns and cities and home again.
“Increasing the appeal of our public transport system and thereby the passenger experience is at the heart of improving connectivity into our city centres. The opening of the new York Street Station and the development of the Belfast Grand Central Station, along with the purchase of new buses and carriages, help to highlight the significant investment my Department has made in this part of the transport network.”
Minister O’Dowd also addressed regional disparities in transport services, noting that £4.7 million has been allocated for Phase 3 capital works to renew the railway line between Derry and Coleraine. This investment aims to reduce travel times and increase speeds on the route. Furthermore, funding has been secured for a feasibility study on extending the railway line from Derry to Portadown.
In line with the Government’s broader environmental goals, the department has invested £64 million in the decarbonisation of public transport. This includes the introduction of 100 new battery-electric buses, which are being rolled out across the Translink fleet in key locations such as Belfast, Derry, Limavady, and Portadown. This initiative is part of the All-Island Strategic Rail Review, recently published to outline opportunities for faster, more frequent, and accessible rail services across the island.
Colin Neill, chair of the Northern Ireland Connectivity Coalition, stressed the importance of coordinated efforts to improve connectivity, noting the direct impact on businesses and the general public. The Coalition’s policy proposals include the implementation of an effective Air Route Development Scheme, better connections between airports and main transport hubs, and sustained funding for public transport improvements during evenings, late nights, and weekends.
Colin Neill, Chair, Northern Ireland Connectivity Coalition said:
“As an industry dependent on getting customers to and from our businesses, we see the benefits of bringing the key stakeholders together as poor connectivity affects everyone from transport providers to business to the members of the public going about their daily lives and it is for the benefit of everyone that we present a united front in our approach.
“We realise there is not a bottomless pot of cash, but effective policy changes and funding targeted where it will make a real and tangible difference can deliver real changes to improve connectivity across our towns, cities and access to Northern Ireland.”
“The key stakeholders that make up the Connectivity Coalition, working in partnership with NI Government can positively impact Northern Ireland economically, environmentally, and improve accessibility. So, the easier it is to get into and around the region, the bigger knock-on effect this will have. Joined-up solutions of the type the Connectivity Coalition seeks to put forward will ensure that we do not miss this opportunity to grow our local economy.”
Minister O’Dowd reaffirmed his commitment to developing a new Transport Strategy by 2035, which will seek to balance network expansion with climate change mitigation. The strategy aims to enhance the accessibility and vibrancy of Northern Ireland’s towns and cities, contributing to the region’s economic growth and environmental sustainability.
