§ Rev. Martin SmythTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what directions she has given to her officials in the Road Service of the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland to comply with best practice with regard to the needs of disabled people in the implementation of pedestrianisation in Belfast; [70723]
(2) what steps she is taking to ensure that the standards with regard to vehicular access for disabled people to the centre of Belfast match those recommended by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions; [70721]
(3) what representations she has received from the Disabled Drivers Association regarding the proposals for pedestrianisation of parts of central Belfast; and what plans she has to meet representatives of the association. [70722]
§ Mr. Paul MurphyResponsibility for the subject in question has been delegated to the Roads Service under its chief executive, Mr. W. S. McCoubrey. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from W. J. McCoubrey to Rev. Martin Smyth, dated 18 February 1999:
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has asked me to respond to your 3 recently tabled Parliamentary Questions about the Department's proposals to restrict vehicular access to Belfast city centre.First, you asked what steps the Secretary of State is taking to ensure that the standards with regard to vehicular access for disabled people to the centre of Belfast match those recommended by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR). Whilst the DETR has not published standards with regard to vehicular access, guidelines are contained in its Local Transport Note 1/87, "Getting the Right Balance". I can confirm that the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland has taken these guidelines into account when formulating its proposals for Belfast city centre.Secondly, you asked what directions the Secretary of State has given to Roads Service officials to comply with the best practice with regard to the needs of disabled people in implementing the Department's proposals for restricting vehicular access to the city centre. The Secretary of State has not given any directions to officials on this matter. However, 2 Departmental Ministers were involved in the consultations between the Department and groups representing the disabled prior to the formal publication of the proposals.Thirdly, you asked what representations the Secretary of State has received from The Disabled Drivers' Association regarding the Department's proposals and what plans she has to meet representatives of the Association. The Disabled Drivers' Association wrote to the Secretary of State on 13 January 1999 asking her to examine the Department's proposals and to meet representatives of the Association to discuss the matter. In her reply, the Secretary of State advised that she was aware of the Department's proposals and indicated that the forthcoming public inquiry (to be held on 23 February 1999) will provide an ideal opportunity for all interested parties to air their views about the Departments proposals. The Secretary of State has no plans to meet representatives of the Association.I trust the above information is helpful.