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Response From Conor Murphy DRD
| The response below is in response to an email sent to
Conor Muphy head of the DRD by one of our users, in order that he as
head of the consultation can include issues raised, into the public consultation.
Mr. Murphy had his Director Mike Thompson respond, this is copied below:
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| BELFAST RAPID TRANSIT PROPOSAL Thank you for your e-mail of 19 May 2008 to the Minister for Regional Development, Conor Murphy MP, MLA. The Minister has asked that I respond on his behalf. In your email you raised a number of concerns that you have on the outcomes of the Strategic Outline Case (SOC) for Rapid Transit which was published on 8th April 2008. The Minister is keen to hear the views from a range of key interested parties taking into account all the facts of the studies. I am glad you have read the report and welcome your comments on it. The old Belfast – Dundonald railway line has for many years been identified for use for a rapid transit scheme. Proposals for EWAY were originally included within the Regional Transportation Strategy (RTS) 2002, Belfast Metropolitan Transport Plan (BMTP) in 2004 and the draft Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan (dBMAP) 2004. The proposals have also recently been discussed as part of the dBMAP public inquiry. I am aware of your particular concerns regarding the Bloomfield Walkway and I thought it may be useful to provide the historical context. In 2003, work was undertaken to build a new sewer along parts of the old Belfast – Dundonald railway line. This presented an opportunity to create a walking and cycling route. This work was undertaken in the full knowledge that the line would, in the future, be used for rapid transit. A decision was taken that walkers and cyclists should not have to wait for rapid transit to deliver a walk/cycle route, but that an interim pathway could be built whilst the rapid transit proposals were being developed. I am very conscious of the needs of walkers and cyclists and am keen to support both. It is my belief that a walking and cycling amenity can be retained on the route and that is why we are building the needs of cyclists and walkers into our future proposals. Following extensive computer modelling and economic tests of the potential options the report recommends that the best route for rapid transit in East Belfast is along the old Belfast – Dundonald Railway line. I can assure you that the Minister wants the best scheme for Belfast, one which is sustainable in meeting the needs of the city. He is currently considering the outcomes of the study and seeking the views of others on the way forward. No decision has yet been taken on the preferred options and there will be a need for more substantial work and consultation with the community and others throughout the detailed design of the project. |
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Editorial It would appear on the face of it that this email is the department's standard reply, for rather than addressing the issues raised in the original email sent by our user, that the DRD has proceeded to outline issues important to it. It is of some concern that the email forwarded to the DRD does not appear to have been read, no does Mr. Thompson in his response indicate that it will be included in the material to be considered in accordance with the Public Consultation. Furthermore this site would dispute Mr. Thompson's facts for this route was developed as a nature walk with public money and the assistance of volunteers long before 2003. He is however correct in asserting that it was torn up in 2003 for sewage works before being returned to its previous state. As this matter is out for public consultation this site is concerned that Mr. Thompson seems to exhibit in his comments his department's bias in favour of their own plans regardless of the public consultation, when he states above, 'This work was undertaken in the full knowledge that the line would, in the future, be used for rapid transit.' If the DRD has spent public money in the full knowledge of its impending waste then we like others will be calling for the individuals responsible to be personally surcharged, to ensure its recovery. |
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