MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS - 20th FEBRUARY 2002

Proceedings of the Regional Development Committee

Minutes of meeting held in public session on Wednesday, 20^th February 2002 in the Senate Chamber, Parliament Buildings

1. Minutes of last meeting
2. Statutory Rules
3. Antrim to Knockmore Railway Line
4. AOB
5. Date of the next meeting

Present were:
Mr A Maginness (Chairman)
Mr A McFarland (Deputy Chairman)
Mr J Byrne
Mr D Ervine
Mr W Hay
Mr D Hussey
Mr R Hutchinson
Mr P McNamee
Mr M Robinson

Apology:
Mr PJ Bradley
Mr G Savage

In Attendance:
Mr L Barr (Committee Clerk)
Mr N Currie (Assistant Committee Clerk)
Mrs S Young (Executive Support)
Miss J Massey (Administrative Support)

The meeting was called to order at 10.40 am.

1. Minutes of last meeting

The minutes of the meeting held on 13^th February 2002 were agreed.

2. Statutory Rules

The Committee considered one Statutory Rule, subject to negative resolution, which has been made and laid in the Assembly.

Question Put and Agreed: That the Regional Development Committee has considered the Statutory Rule 10/2002 -

The Street Works (Register, Notices, Directions and Designations) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002

and has no objection to the Rule.

3. Antrim to Knockmore Railway Line

At 10.45 am the Minister and officials gave a presentation on the Antrim to Knockmore Railway Line. The Minister was accompanied by:

Mr Ted Hesketh - Managing Director, Translink
Mr John Barnett - Infrastructure and Property Executive, Translink
Mr Paul Sweeney - DRD
Ms Lindsay Hodges - DRD

The Minister outlined the background to the issue and briefed the Committee on the results of the Equality Impact Assessment.

The Minister also outlined the cost of keeping the railway line open and the benefits of the bus substitution service.

After the presentation, the Minister and officials answered Members' questions.

At 11.42 am representatives from Antrim and Lisburn Borough Councils gave their views on the issue. Ms Geraldine Girvan outlined the views of Antrim Borough Council. This was followed by Councillor Faloon and Colin McClintock who gave the views of Lisburn Borough Council.

Both Antrim and Lisburn Borough Councils raised similar issues, particularly that any decision to discontinue the service is premature in light of key strategies such as the Regional Transportation Strategy and the Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan which are still being formulated.

Furthermore, closure of this railway line would make the possibility of a link to the International Airport even less likely.

Mr Ervine left the meeting at 12.04 pm

After the presentation, the representatives answered Members' questions.

Mr McFarland joined the meeting at 12.17 pm

At 12.19 pm representatives from Transport 2000 and the Crumlin Residents Association gave their views on the issue.

Dr Liz Fawcett outlined the views of Transport 2000.

Dr Fawcett argued that the Equality Impact Assessment was not comprehensive and failed to fully assess the impact on the Section 75 groups listed in the Northern Ireland Act 1998.

Mr McFarland left the meeting at 12.30 pm

The Crumlin Development Association was represented by Mr Roy Beattie, Mr Oliver Frawley and Ms Fiona Haineswort.

The Crumlin Residents Association questioned the capital expenditure and track maintenance costs that the Department had stated as necessary to maintain the line. The representatives also questioned the passenger usage figures given by the Department.

Mr Byrne left the meeting at 1.06 pm

After the presentation, Dr Fawcett and the Crumlin Development Association representatives answered Members' questions.

At 1.29 pm the Minister responded to the remarks made by those who had taken part in the meeting and emphasised that any decision to discontinue the service would be taken by the Assembly.

The Chairman thanked the Minister and officials and they left the meeting at 1.46 pm

4. AOB

Newtownstewart By Pass

Some Members asked for the Newtownstewart By Pass be listed for discussion at next week's meeting.

5. Date of the next meeting

The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday 27^th February 2002 at 10.30 am. in room 135 Parliament Buildings.

The meeting adjourned at 1.47 pm.