Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd believes rural representatives may be asking colleagues in Belfast what they are complaining about as he was questioned about “traffic chaos” in parts of the city over the weekend.
The minister was fielding questions in relation to resurfacing work on a major artery in east Belfast.
Work on the citybound lanes along the Sydenham Bypass between Tillysburn junction and the start of the M3 began last week and is expected to take five months.
In response to a question from the DUP MLA David Brooks, who said his constituents were impacted by “traffic chaos largely due to poor traffic management, Mr O’Dowd said: “I am looking at your rural colleagues as they look on envy upon Belfast.”
He then mentioned the £3.8m improvement works on the Sydenham Bypass and the £340m Grand Central bus and rail station.
“Your rural colleagues are going, ‘What are you complaining about?’” Mr O’Dowd told the Assembly on Monday.
“But I have to accept there has been traffic congestion in Belfast city centre. We are reviewing and if lessons need to be learned from the weekend then we learn it.”
He pointed out the department is resurfacing a major artery into Belfast because it is such a high volume road, including used by members of the assembly on a daily basis.
Responding to another question about congestion, Mr O’Dowd said: “Part of it is as a result of a £340 million investment in a new Grand Central Station, part of it is the result of the £3.2 million that is being spent on upgrading the Sydenham Bypass.”