To ask the Minister for Infrastructure whether any interim measures can take place with regards to the Clifton Gateway scheme and her Department’s role, before the full implementation of the Belfast Rapid Transit.

My announcement on the Belfast Rapid Transit project represents a commitment to an initial investment of £48m in this innovative service across the North and South of the city, bringing the benefits already established by the Glider serviced to communities living along this route.

Funding of £35m was allocated within the Belfast Region City Deal, and my Departmental budget committed an additional £13m to deliver this initial phase. Officials are focussed on delivering the best value possible through interventions along the route which create the most benefit, and the delivery of a Park and Ride at O’Neill Road.

Due to the significant traffic management implications of the work associated with the Carlisle Circus junction, including Clifton Gate, it is important to ensure that the delivery of this signalisation is planned to reduce the impact on the travelling public and to minimise congestion levels in and around the city centre.

Unfortunately, for the reasons outlined above, and the need to deliver best value with the finite resources available for the BRT2 scheme, this work will not form part of this phase of the project, but will be timed for completion in advance of full operation of the North/South Glider route.