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Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins is facing scrutiny from opposition politicians after an official audit revealed her department has failed to demonstrate any meaningful increase in walking and cycling rates despite stated ambitions. Infrastructure for cycling in Newry City centre remains in extreme short supply.
The Northern Ireland Audit Office recently published findings showing no evidence of significant progress in active travel uptake, prompting SDLP Opposition Infrastructure Spokesperson Justin McNulty to formally challenge the Minister on her handling of the policy area.
The Newry and Armagh MLA has written directly to Minister Kimmins seeking detailed explanations of how she plans to address the audit's conclusions and deliver on previously announced active travel commitments.
Mr McNulty emphasised the wide-ranging benefits that improved walking and cycling infrastructure could bring to communities throughout Northern Ireland. "Increasing active travel would have huge benefits for people and communities across the North. It has the potential to improve physical and mental health, take more cars off our roads to help tackle the climate crisis, and make our towns and cities more appealing for local people and visitors alike," he said.
The MLA didn't hold back in his assessment of the department's performance, pointing directly to ministerial accountability for the lack of advancement. "This Audit Office report makes clear the failings overseen by the Minister and her department. Targets have been missed, funding hasn't been delivered, and there has been little to no progress in encouraging people to walk or cycle more."
Mr McNulty's intervention comes amid growing concern that Northern Ireland is falling behind in developing sustainable transport options, with potential knock-on effects for multiple policy areas from healthcare to environmental protection.
"The SDLP has written to the Minister directly to ask how she intends to address the issues raised by the Audit Office. While there are significant pressures within her department, the continued failure to prioritise active travel has serious consequences for public health, the environment and our economy," the Newry and Armagh representative stated.
The challenge represents the latest flashpoint in ongoing debates about infrastructure investment priorities and the delivery of government commitments around sustainable transport options. With active travel policies increasingly viewed as essential components of broader climate action and public health strategies, the audit findings raise questions about whether current approaches can achieve stated objectives without substantial reform.
