Roads Minister Liz Kimmins has refuted claims Armagh is the “forgotten city”, amid concerns that nothing is being done to address chronic traffic congestion.
When pressed on the lack of progress in delivering link roads for Armagh, the Minister admitted that the A5 judgement was “having an impact on all road schemes at present”.
It was Newry and Armagh SDLP MLA Justin McNulty who this week raised concerns over the lack of progress on rail and road infrastructure for the city.
Speaking on the floor of the Northern Ireland Assembly, he challenged the Minister to outline what steps she would take “to address the traffic congestion in Armagh city — the forgotten city and only city on the island without a rail link — that causes delays and tailbacks on the main routes into, out of and through the city, which, in turn, causes headaches for local people and businesses”.
Minister Kimmins was quick to deny the assertion that Armagh had been neglected and dismissed the suggestion “about Armagh city being forgotten”.
She said: “It is part of my constituency and is a city that I visit frequently, particularly for matches.
“I am very aware of the congestion issues and the frustrations felt by local people in particular, as well as those who travel to and from Armagh city.”
Turning to Mr McNulty’s reference to the rail link, Ms Kimmins said: “He will be aware that we are considering the feasibility studies from the All-Island Strategic Rail Review for a rail link for Armagh. I hope to be able to publish the outcomes of that in the coming weeks.
“Traffic and congestion measures are constantly under review, and there are things that we can look at. I am happy to consider anything new, and the Department can look at that. We are cognisant of the challenge of congestion. We are working together on that, as well as looking at public transport options.”
Mr McNulty then focused on the issue of the East Link in Armagh — connecting the Newry Road and Portadown Road — and the North and West Link — connecting the Portadown Road to the Monaghan Road.
The SDLP representative said: “It appears that those vital road projects, which could alleviate congestion in Armagh city, have been shelved and that there is no timeline for their delivery.
“Why is that?” he asked Ms Kimmins, further pressing: “Will the Minister commit to getting those projects back on track and progressing them?”
Minister Kimmins said the projects had been “paused some time ago”, before her appointment to the Infrastructure portfolio, citing various reasons, including “a lack of funding”.
The Minister said the “A5 judgement is having an impact on all road schemes at present”.
She added: “I have to consider that, in particular, for the projects that are already moving through the stages of delivery, while keeping under review all the other projects that have been paused, such as those that the Member mentioned.
“The impact of the ruling will ensure that I am responsible in my decision-making when progressing any such schemes so that we do not hit the challenges that we have at this point. It will be kept under review.
“When I have a further update, I will be happy to update the House.”
