South Down SDLP MLA Colin McGrath MLA is calling on more road safety investment from the DfI
The SDLP’s Colin McGrath MLA has called on the Minister for Infrastructure to increase spending on road safety campaigns following news of a significant decrease in spending since 2020.
He has responded to a Written Assembly Question to the Minister for Infrastructure, Liz Kimmins MLA, in which he asked how much the Department had spent on road safety awareness campaigns in each of the last five years.
Commenting, Colin McGrath said: “Having been contacted by a number of local cyclists who are concerned about the seriousness with which the Minister is treating road safety, I asked how much her Department had spent on road safety awareness campaigns since 2020.
“The Minister confirmed to me that in 2020 the spend was almost £1.4million, and in 2021 it increased to nearly £1.5million. However, in 2023 the figure dropped significantly to £476k and last year it was £535k.
“It will not be lost on anyone that from 2020 to 2022 the SDLP held the Infrastructure portfolio and were able to allocate that level of funding to road safety campaigns.
“It begs the question as to why since Sinn Fein have taken up the position that they have reduced that funding allocation so significantly. xa0
“Road safety is everyone’s responsibility and we need to know that the Minister is treating as such.
“Tragically the number of people who have lost their lives on our roads is not falling at the rate that would justify such a reduction in funding, and I will now be writing to the Minister to seek clarification on why this funding was reduced and if she will now consider enhancing it, for the safety and security of all those who make use of our roads.”
