HL Deb 02 May 2000 vol 612 cc169-70WA
Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answers by Baroness Farrington of Ribbleton on 11 April (WA 38–40), when the concept of an expressway-style rapid transit system from the northern part of County Down to Belfast was first considered. [HL2093]

Baroness Farrington of Ribbleton

The Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company submitted an application for European funding for a study of transport options on the Belfast to Newtownards corridor on 28 March 1996.

Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Baroness Farrington of Ribbleton on 11 April (WA 40) on the public consultation exercise concerning an expressway-style rapid transit system from the northern part of County Down to the centre of Belfast, why, if the public response was positive, the project was not proceeded with. [HL2096]

Baroness Farrington of Ribbleton

Given the current financial resources available for public transport in Northern Ireland, there are currently no plans to proceed with such a scheme.

Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answers from Baroness Farrington of Ribbleton on 11 April (WA 40), indicating both a positive general reaction to the proposed rapid transit system from the northern part of County Down to Belfast and that there were no plans to proceed, why no application has been made to the European Union for funding; and why private sources who have shown an interest in financing have not been explored. [HL2128]

Baroness Farrington of Ribbleton

The E-way project is not at a sufficiently advanced stage to warrant an application being made to the European Union for funding. For similar reasons, private sector sources of funding have not been explored.

Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Baroness Farrington of Ribbleton on 11 April (WA 38) concerning the expressway-style rapid transit system from the northern part of County Down to Belfast, who decided "that there are currently no plans to proceed with such a scheme"; and when that decision was made. [HL2159]

Baroness Farrington of Ribbleton

The E-way study has been completed but has not been formally presented by the Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company to the Department for Regional Development for a decision on the contribution It could make to the future of public transport within the region. Even if the decision on the study is favourable, the scheme could not proceed until current funding constraints are resolved.