Active travel opportunities must be enhanced and promoted, says McAllister

North Belfast’s cycling infrastructure remains seriously underdeveloped, Alliance Councillor Nuala McAllister has said, as she called on Infrastructure Minister Nicola Mallon to implement plans that will actually make a difference. Nuala – the Alliance Party’s active travel spokesperson – said the problems are so bad that there is no way to safely access the city […]

A Green New Deal will tackle rising energy costs, says Donnelly

Retrofitting all social housing and giving grants to retrofit private homes with energy efficiency measures would be a major step towards helping people get through the current crisis of rising energy costs, Alliance’s Danny Donnelly has said. Danny, who was recently appointed the party’s Biodiversity and Green Energy spokesperson, said Alliance’s Green New Deal plan, […]

Shambles of electric vehicle charging network forcing people to go back to petrol and diesel, says Muir

The “shambles” of the electric vehicle charging network in Northern Ireland is forcing people to go back to petrol and diesel cars, Alliance Infrastructure spokesperson Andrew Muir MLA has said. The North Down MLA was speaking after contacting the Electricity Supply Board (ESB), which maintains the network here. It followed complaints from constituents, who having […]

Dickson disappointed but not surprised by Ryanair announcement

Alliance Economy spokesperson Stewart Dickson MLA has said he is disappointed but not surprised after Ryanair announced it would be ceasing its operations at local airports by the end of October. The airline, which only recommenced flights at Belfast City Airport in May, currently flies to routes including Krakow and Milan from Belfast International Airport. […]

Bradshaw questions Department’s Glider proposals for South Belfast

South Belfast Alliance MLA Paula Bradshaw has described the Department for Infrastructure’s plans for the extension of the Glider service to North and South Belfast as falling short. A consultation on Phase Two of the Belfast Rapid Transit Network was launched on Monday but the proposed southern route would stop at Cairnshill Park and Ride […]

Incoming Economy Minister needs to seek urgent meeting with airport and airline, says Dickson

Incoming Economy Minister Paul Frew needs to seek an urgent meeting with Belfast City Airport and Aer Lingus, after the airline announced it had stopped flights from the airport to several UK destinations. The news came after Stobart Air, which operates Aer Lingus’ regional services, moved into liquidation. Flights to a number of British cities […]

We need to improve public transport locally if we are to grasp opportunities, says Beaumont

We need to improve public transport links across Fermanagh and Tyrone if we are to grasp the opportunities presented to us after the pandemic, Alliance representative Matthew Beaumont has said.   Recently selected by local members as Alliance’s representative for the Fermanagh and South Tyrone constituency, Mr Beaumont said as we emerge from the worst […]

Muir: Penalty increases for using mobile phones while driving are welcome

Alliance Infrastructure spokesperson MLA has welcomed an increase in the fine and penalty points awarded to drivers who are caught using a hand-held mobile phone while driving. Mr Muir was speaking after the Assembly moved to increase the number of penalty points awarded from three to six and the fine from £60 to £200 – […]