HL Deb 24 May 2000 vol 613 cc94-6WA
Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answers by Baroness Farrington of Ribbleton on 11 April (WA 36–40) concerning the Expressway-style rapid transit system from the northern part of County Down to Belfast, why the decision not to proceed due to the lack of funding was made before an application was submitted to the European Union for support and before the concept of private funding had been explored. [HL2296]

Lord Falconer of Thoroton

No decision has been made on whether to proceed with this scheme. Government is not in a position to indicate what funding will be available under the EU Structural Funds Programme 2000–2006 for transport projects. If it is decided that such a scheme should proceed, availability of both European and private funding would clearly be helpful.

Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

In view of the postponement of the Expressway-style rapid transit system from North Down to Belfast, what arrangements they are making to compensate those property owners who have been affected by planning blight. [HL2352]

Lord Falconer of Thoroton

This project, known as EWAY, is intended to utilise part of the former route of the old Comber railway line. No decision has been made on whether to proceed with the EWAY project. Consequently, compensation to property owners is not an issue at this time. However, within the Belfast Urban Area Plan 2001, which is the statutory plan for Greater Belfast, it is proposed that the old Comber railway line will be utilised for road schemes. Land to build these schemes has therefore been afforded protection. The owners of properties affected by planning blight because of these schemes may seek compensation by means of the Planning Blight (Compensation) (Northern Ireland) Order 1961.

Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Baroness Farrington of Ribbleton on 8 March (WA 154) whether the announcement of the deferring of an Expressway-style rapid transit system from the northern part of County Down to Belfast was the correct way to inform all the many interested groups and the general public; and whether they will wish to update the Answer. [HL2354]

Lord Falconer of Thoroton

No decision has been made on whether to proceed with this scheme. Consequently no announcement has been made about deferring it.

Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Baroness Farrington of Ribbleton on 2 May (WA 170) concerning a proposal for an Expressway-style rapid transit system from the northern part of County Down to Belfast and the Written Answer on 2 May (WA 70) which stated that "the EWAY study has been completed", whether they will enlarge on the wording that the "project is not at a sufficiently advanced state to warrant an application being made to the European Union for funding", and what stage the proposal is at. [HL2451]

Lord Falconer of Thoroton

Preliminary feasibility work on the proposal has now been completed and a project board has just been established to consider whether and how the proposal can usefully be taken forward.

A detailed costed scheme would need to be available before consideration could be given to seeking funding from the European Union.

Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Why they carried out a public consultation exercise concerning an Expressway-style rapid transit system from the northern part of County Down to the centre of Belfast if they had no intention of proceeding with the project. [HL2454]

Lord Falconer of Thoroton

Government have not carried out a public consultation exercise concerning an Expressway-style rapid transit system from the northern part of County Down to the centre of Belfast, Government have not come to any decision on whether this scheme should proceed.