25 February 2025
The Executive has failed people in Belfast and beyond with its further delaying of the critical Belfast Rapid Transit Phase 2 (Glider) project, Matthew O’Toole MLA has said.
He was speaking after Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins confirmed that the plans to extend the Glider to Carryduff, as well as Glengormley in the north of the city, were being dropped – despite repeated promises from her party and others in the Executive.
Additionally, the Minister now anticipates the main scheme will not be completed until 2030 at the very earliest, delaying the scheme by at least a further two years.
Speaking following the Minister’s announcement, Mr O’Toole said
“The Minister’s announcement this morning is deeply disappointing for those living in Carryduff and right across South Belfast. Carryduff is a growing area of nearly 10,000 people, and anyone who travels along the Saintfield Road regularly already know it’s struggling to cope and needs a fast, frequent and reliable public transport alternative.
“The Minister’s admission that she doesn’t expect the scheme, even in its truncated form, to be completed until 2030 is a damning indictment of the lack of urgency in the Executive to deliver. With an Outline Business Case that’s been ‘nearing completion’ since 2022 and no effort made to make up the funding shortfall of £110m, Sinn Féin Ministers continue to gaslight people in Belfast about delivery of this critical scheme.
“It is shameful to see Ministers and other Executive party representatives trumpet this announcement as ‘progress’ when it is exactly the opposite.”
SDLP Castle Councillor Carl Whyte said:
“The Minister’s announcement that there will be no expansion of the Glider to anywhere in North Belfast including Glengormley is another example of the neglect that the constituency faces when it comes to getting its fair share of Executive funding for public transport. North Belfast will continue to be the only part of the city where all residents will continue to rely on the traditional bus service despite being promised an extended Glider service by Sinn Fein for many years now."