To ask the Minister for Infrastructure to detail the active travel projects (i) being undertaken by her Department; and (ii) being funded by her Department in the North Down constituency during the 2020/21 financial year.

I am very keen to deliver on projects to get more people to walk and cycle. In June I committed £20 million for blue/green infrastructure and to working with all Council areas in identifying and delivering active travel and greenway projects. For example in September, I announced £3.735million for six greenway projects that would be able to start construction this financial year.

Ards & North Down Borough Council submitted a number of greenway proposals to the Department for consideration but only one is ready to start construction work this year. I have therefore allocated £22,500 to the Council to upgrade the Coastal Path, between Stricklands Glen and Brompton Road.

Newtownards Chamber of Trade have proposals to encourage more active and sustainable travel to and within the town centre and preliminary survey work will begin shortly to inform a future reconfiguration of the town to help with a green recovery.

A proposed puffin crossing on Bloomfield Road near Jordan Avenue, is proposed this financial year, which will improve road safety for pedestrians in the area.

Details of works programmes, including those in the North Down area are compiled on a yearly basis and issued to the relevant Councils. They are then published on the Department’s website and are available to view online through the following link: https://www.infrastructure-ni.gov.uk/publications