Transport Joint Communiqué 20 October 2010
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Transport Joint Communiqué 20 October 2010(PDF Format 29.1 Kb)
Transport Joint Communiqué 20 October 2010(PDF Format 29.1 Kb)
NORTH SOUTH MINISTERIAL COUNCIL
TRANSPORT SECTORAL FORMAT
NSMC JOINT SECRETARIAT OFFICES, ARMAGH
20 OCTOBER 2010
JOINT COMMUNIQUÉ
1. The ninth meeting of the North South Ministerial Council in Transport sectoral format was held in NSMC Joint Secretariat Offices, Armagh on 20 October 2010.
2. The meeting was attended by Noel Dempsey TD, Minister for Transport, Conor Murphy MP MLA, Minister for Regional Development and Edwin Poots MLA, Minister of the Environment. Minister Dempsey chaired the meeting.
1. The ninth meeting of the North South Ministerial Council in Transport sectoral format was held in NSMC Joint Secretariat Offices, Armagh on 20 October 2010.
2. The meeting was attended by Noel Dempsey TD, Minister for Transport, Conor Murphy MP MLA, Minister for Regional Development and Edwin Poots MLA, Minister of the Environment. Minister Dempsey chaired the meeting.
Developments on the Dublin / Belfast rail link
3. Ministers discussed progress on the Dublin/Belfast rail link and welcomed the continuing upward trend in passengers numbers following the reconstruction of the viaduct at Malahide. The objectives of both operating companies remain focused on rebuilding passenger numbers while protecting revenue.
4. Ministers noted the intention of Northern Ireland Railways to provide an additional Enterprise halt at Lisburn, subject to the extension of platform 2 and that Iarnród Éireann are investigating an option to commence its early morning commuter service from Newry, subject to additional fleet being introduced in 2011. Ministers also noted the operation of the Golden Trekker tourism promotion designed to encourage overseas tourists to visit and help to boost both the local and all island economy.
5. Minister welcomed approval of funding under the Invest to Save project aimed at improving the reliability of the Enterprise Service.
6. Ministers discussed the Enterprise Rail Seminar report and noted that officials will discuss the issues raised with the two operating companies who will be invited to respond in a presentation to the next NSMC transport meeting.
3. Ministers discussed progress on the Dublin/Belfast rail link and welcomed the continuing upward trend in passengers numbers following the reconstruction of the viaduct at Malahide. The objectives of both operating companies remain focused on rebuilding passenger numbers while protecting revenue.
4. Ministers noted the intention of Northern Ireland Railways to provide an additional Enterprise halt at Lisburn, subject to the extension of platform 2 and that Iarnród Éireann are investigating an option to commence its early morning commuter service from Newry, subject to additional fleet being introduced in 2011. Ministers also noted the operation of the Golden Trekker tourism promotion designed to encourage overseas tourists to visit and help to boost both the local and all island economy.
5. Minister welcomed approval of funding under the Invest to Save project aimed at improving the reliability of the Enterprise Service.
6. Ministers discussed the Enterprise Rail Seminar report and noted that officials will discuss the issues raised with the two operating companies who will be invited to respond in a presentation to the next NSMC transport meeting.
MAJOR ROADS PROJECTS
7. Ministers welcomed the opening of the new dual carriageway from Beechill to Cloghogue in July. This brings the entire route between Belfast and Dublin to motorway/dual carriageway standard. Ministers also noted that the M1 Service Areas at Lusk and Castlebellingham were opened in September.
8. Ministers noted that development work has been continuing on the A5 (North West Gateway to Aughnacloy) and A8 (Belfast to Larne) including consultation with landowners and other interested parties.
9. Ministers agreed a payment schedule including the estimated cumulative Irish Government contribution on reaching each milestone in the project.
7. Ministers welcomed the opening of the new dual carriageway from Beechill to Cloghogue in July. This brings the entire route between Belfast and Dublin to motorway/dual carriageway standard. Ministers also noted that the M1 Service Areas at Lusk and Castlebellingham were opened in September.
8. Ministers noted that development work has been continuing on the A5 (North West Gateway to Aughnacloy) and A8 (Belfast to Larne) including consultation with landowners and other interested parties.
9. Ministers agreed a payment schedule including the estimated cumulative Irish Government contribution on reaching each milestone in the project.
VECHICLE STANDARDS
10. Ministers noted the arrangements in both jurisdictions for testing of compliance with technical/safety/vehicle regulations among HGV/Freight Operators.
11. Ministers welcomed the Road Safety Authority reform of the Commercial Vehicle Testing System. Ministers also noted the level of existing cooperation by the enforcement agencies and that plans for a series of cross border enforcement operations are in place including spot checks on buses and coaches.
10. Ministers noted the arrangements in both jurisdictions for testing of compliance with technical/safety/vehicle regulations among HGV/Freight Operators.
11. Ministers welcomed the Road Safety Authority reform of the Commercial Vehicle Testing System. Ministers also noted the level of existing cooperation by the enforcement agencies and that plans for a series of cross border enforcement operations are in place including spot checks on buses and coaches.
ROAD SAFETY
12. Ministers welcomed cooperation on Road Safety strategies and enforcement actions in border areas including work with GAA, the Young Farmers Clubs of Ulster and other sporting organisations.
13. Ministers also welcomed the planning that is underway for a joint Christmas Road Safety Campaign.
14. They also noted that the Road Safety Authority is targeting the border areas with its Programmes, ‘A Call to Action’ and ‘Wrecked.ie which was piloted in Donegal, and is being rolled out with specially trained community workers and the Garda Síochána.
15. Ministers discussed the Mutual Recognition of Penalty Points and noted that whilst this is a complex matter, officials are planning ahead to establish what actions can be undertaken to move forward. Ministers also noted that operating arrangements around the Mutual Recognition of Driver Disqualifications are working well.
16. Ministers discussed progress in relation to reducing Blood Alcohol Limits in both jurisdictions. Ministers noted that harmonisation of Blood Alcohol Concentration levels across both jurisdictions is pending the outcome of the recommendations of the North Report. Ministers also noted that officials continue to explore areas of mutual interest and the sharing, where appropriate of information on the procurement of breath testing equipment.
12. Ministers welcomed cooperation on Road Safety strategies and enforcement actions in border areas including work with GAA, the Young Farmers Clubs of Ulster and other sporting organisations.
13. Ministers also welcomed the planning that is underway for a joint Christmas Road Safety Campaign.
14. They also noted that the Road Safety Authority is targeting the border areas with its Programmes, ‘A Call to Action’ and ‘Wrecked.ie which was piloted in Donegal, and is being rolled out with specially trained community workers and the Garda Síochána.
15. Ministers discussed the Mutual Recognition of Penalty Points and noted that whilst this is a complex matter, officials are planning ahead to establish what actions can be undertaken to move forward. Ministers also noted that operating arrangements around the Mutual Recognition of Driver Disqualifications are working well.
16. Ministers discussed progress in relation to reducing Blood Alcohol Limits in both jurisdictions. Ministers noted that harmonisation of Blood Alcohol Concentration levels across both jurisdictions is pending the outcome of the recommendations of the North Report. Ministers also noted that officials continue to explore areas of mutual interest and the sharing, where appropriate of information on the procurement of breath testing equipment.
SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL AND TRANSPORT
17. Ministers noted the continued promotion, through the National Sustainable Travel Office, and the TravelWise initiative, of walking, cycling, public transport and car sharing to businesses, commuters and schools.
18. Ministers welcomed the success of the all-island Bike Week 2010 which involved joint planning by officials and included linked events, such as the Cycling Grand Prix in both Belfast and Dublin. Ministers also welcomed the success of the cross-border challenge, promoted by Travelwise and An Taisce’s Green School’s Travel Programme, held during Walk to School Week.
19. Ministers welcomed the continued development and success of the car sharing scheme for the North West region including the establishment of the website, the value of the initial promotional efforts and the growth of participants. Ministers also welcomed the ongoing co-operation and advice from ESB to assist Departments of Environment and Regional Development (DOE/DRD) in submitting a bid to the Department for Transport (DfT) Plugged in Places initiative. This initiative provides funding for electrical vehicle infrastructure and a key aspect of the DOE/DRD bid is the potential for linking of plans in both jurisdictions.
17. Ministers noted the continued promotion, through the National Sustainable Travel Office, and the TravelWise initiative, of walking, cycling, public transport and car sharing to businesses, commuters and schools.
18. Ministers welcomed the success of the all-island Bike Week 2010 which involved joint planning by officials and included linked events, such as the Cycling Grand Prix in both Belfast and Dublin. Ministers also welcomed the success of the cross-border challenge, promoted by Travelwise and An Taisce’s Green School’s Travel Programme, held during Walk to School Week.
19. Ministers welcomed the continued development and success of the car sharing scheme for the North West region including the establishment of the website, the value of the initial promotional efforts and the growth of participants. Ministers also welcomed the ongoing co-operation and advice from ESB to assist Departments of Environment and Regional Development (DOE/DRD) in submitting a bid to the Department for Transport (DfT) Plugged in Places initiative. This initiative provides funding for electrical vehicle infrastructure and a key aspect of the DOE/DRD bid is the potential for linking of plans in both jurisdictions.
BRIDGES ON THE TYRONE MONAGHAN BORDER / NARROW WATER BRIDGE
20. The Council noted that construction on Knockaginny Bridge and Annaghroe Bridge has been completed and both bridges will be officially opened later today.
21. Ministers noted the Louth County Council Environmental Impact Assessment in relation to the proposed Narrow Water Bridge is expected to be completed this month. The question of funding construction work can be addressed when the statutory planning processes have been brought to a conclusion.
20. The Council noted that construction on Knockaginny Bridge and Annaghroe Bridge has been completed and both bridges will be officially opened later today.
21. Ministers noted the Louth County Council Environmental Impact Assessment in relation to the proposed Narrow Water Bridge is expected to be completed this month. The question of funding construction work can be addressed when the statutory planning processes have been brought to a conclusion.
COMMUNITY BASED RURAL TRANSPORT
22. Ministers noted that a report on evaluation of the pilot scheme relating to Cross-Border Community Based Rural Transport was delayed due to the complexity of some of the issues but has now been completed and will be presented to the next NSMC meeting in Transport sectoral format.
22. Ministers noted that a report on evaluation of the pilot scheme relating to Cross-Border Community Based Rural Transport was delayed due to the complexity of some of the issues but has now been completed and will be presented to the next NSMC meeting in Transport sectoral format.
Date of next meeting
23. The Council agreed to meet again in the Transport sectoral format in February 2011.
23. The Council agreed to meet again in the Transport sectoral format in February 2011.
Joint Secretariat
20 October 2010
20 October 2010
