Kimmins - Lack of Cycling investment locally during pandemic was missed opportunity

MLA Liz Kimmins has said that an opportunity was missed during covid to change peoples travel behaviour following a Committee for Infrastructure briefing from Sustran.

The Newry and Armagh representative said that Walking and Cycling can play a massive role in helping cut emissions and air pollution as well as improving people's mental and physical health and she spoke of her frustration at the lack of active travel delivery in our area.

Kimmins said “At the Infrastructure committee today, Sustrans officials stated that an opportunity had been missed in the north to change travel behaviour in Covid; with reference to the lacklustre amount of ‘pop up’ cycle lanes that were delivered compared to other areas.

“At the committee I stressed the need to prioritise walking and cycling investment so the infrastructure is in place to allow people to walk and cycle without concerns for their safety. 

Speaking of her desire to see an expansion of cycle lanes in the area Kimmins said “In the Newry and Armagh area I want to see the expansion of our Greenways such as Carlingford and to see cycle lanes implemented across our cities.No more opportunities can be missed, we need to get real and commit to green transport.  Walking and cycling has a big role to play in achieving this."