AQW 18718/22-27 Written question to the Minister for Infrastructure
To ask the Minister for Infrastructure to provide details of the permit that facilitated the closure of Baronscourt Road, South Belfast, on 20 November 2024.
Asked by Kate Nicholl MLA on 25 November 2024
- Answered
- Written
- After due date
- Priority
- Tabled
- 25 November 2024
- Answer due by
- 28 November 2024
- Answered
- 12 December 202417 days after tabling
- Department
- Department for Infrastructure
- Priority question
- Yes
Answer
On 13 November 2024 my Department received an application for a road closure from NIE on the Saintfield Road to Baronscourt Link Road to facilitate a new connection. The closure request was for one day on 20th November 2024.
Officials in my department discussed the proposed closure with the Temporary Traffic Management Contractor and stressed the necessity of completing the works with minimal inconvenience. Following these discussions, officials provided verbal agreement for the closure, however permit number 2024/LICA/26381 was issued retrospectively for the road closure on 22 November 2024
My Department process in excess of 25,000 applications for road or lane closures annually and has recently introduced a new computerised system. Unfortunately, due to staffing resource issues, the permit for the road closure was issued retrospectively.