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NEWS


Kimmins praises road crews as 10,000 defects repaired in just eight weeks
Minister Liz Kimmins is pictured with some of the DFI’s road crews who have made 10,000 repairs to the road network over the last eight weeks. Road crews across Northern Ireland have completed 10,000 repairs in just eight weeks, Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins has revealed, as efforts intensify to tackle widespread road damage following severe winter weather. The scale of the work comes after what the Minister described as “well documented” deterioration across the road n
Apr 30


Five die in 24 hours as road deaths surge to 29 across Northern Ireland
Assistant Chief Constable Melanie Jones and Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins at a press conference in Police Headquarters A devastating weekend on Northern Ireland’s roads has left five people dead in the space of just 24 hours, pushing this year’s total fatalities to 29—more than double the figure recorded at the same stage in 2025. The stark rise has prompted an urgent joint appeal from the Police Service of Northern Ireland and Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins, who w
Apr 29


Translink fares frozen for second year as Minister cites pressure on families amid rising fuel costs
Public transport fares across Northern Ireland will remain unchanged for a second consecutive year, Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins has confirmed, in a move aimed at easing pressure on households already grappling with rising fuel and living costs. The decision means passengers using Translink’s bus and rail services will see no increase in ticket prices, despite what the Minister described as significant financial pressures facing both the transport operator and the wid
Apr 14


Busy Ballymena road to be resurfaced this summer as councillors welcome long-awaited upgrade
A major resurfacing scheme is set to take place this summer on one of Ballymena’s busiest approach roads, with work planned on the main route from Galgorm into the town. The resurfacing will cover the stretch from the double roundabout at Tullyglass to the Grange Road junction, a key artery used daily by local residents, commuters and businesses travelling in and out of Ballymena. The planned works were confirmed in a statement issued by TUV councillors Stewart McDonald and M
Apr 10


Ballycastle placards removed after residents’ concerns prompt swift DfI action
The poster placed at two roadside junctions in Ballycastle, and inset, TUV MP Jim Allister and Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan Political placards which had become the focus of local concern in Ballycastle have been removed following intervention by the Department for Infrastructure, prompting a fresh political row over standards for public displays in the town. The signs, located at the junction of Mary Street and Cushendall Road, were taken down after North Antrim MP Jim Allis
Apr 6


Drivers could be banned from overtaking stopped buses under new NI safety plans
Drivers in Northern Ireland could soon be banned from overtaking stopped buses — and may even be required to slow dramatically or stop — under new proposals aimed at protecting children during one of the most dangerous moments of their school journey. Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins has launched a public consultation exploring sweeping changes to how motorists behave when passengers, particularly schoolchildren, are getting on or off buses. The proposals come in response
Mar 26


Stormont watchdog blames worsening NI road conditions on 55,000 road openings a year by utilities
Tens of thousands of road openings carried out by utility companies each year are contributing to the deterioration of Northern Ireland’s road network, Stormont’s Public Accounts Committee has warned — raising concerns that taxpayers may be footing the bill. In a critical report, MLAs said the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) cannot currently determine how much of the growing maintenance burden is linked to utility reinstatements, nor confirm that companies are covering t
Mar 26


Rathlin Island ferry service summer 2026 timetable launched
Kintra ferry crossing the Rathlin Sound. (Image: Shauna Fannin) A new summer ferry timetable for Rathlin Island has been confirmed — with extra early weekend sailings designed to support workers and boost the island’s busy tourism season. Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins announced the updated schedule will run from Friday 3 April to Wednesday 30 September 2026, introducing an additional return crossing every Saturday and Sunday morning. The new sailings will depart Rathlin
Mar 23


Frew welcomes planned safety works at busy rural junction
Safety concerns raised by local residents have prompted action at a rural junction in north Antrim, with confirmation that improvements are now on the way. North Antrim MLA Paul Frew has welcomed a response from the Department for Infrastructure (DfI), outlining planned measures to improve visibility and safety at the junction of Glenleslie Road and Moneyduff Road, Clough. The move follows representations made by Mr Frew after constituents highlighted ongoing worries about th
Mar 20


Swann says Antrim flood response “not fit for service” after delays exposed
Recent flooding in the Antrim area. (Pic: Councillor Paul Dunlop BEM) A stark admission from Stormont has laid bare failings in the initial response to January’s flooding in Antrim, with South Antrim MP Robin Swann warning that residents were left vulnerable as unsuitable equipment struggled to keep pace with rising waters. In a letter responding to his concerns, Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins confirmed that early efforts to tackle flooding in the Riverside area were i
Mar 17


Recruitment campaign launched for roadworkers and civil engineering trainees across Northern Ireland
A new recruitment campaign offering careers maintaining Northern Ireland’s road network has been launched, with opportunities ranging from industrial roadworker roles to trainee civil engineering posts. Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins announced the two competitions, which aim to strengthen the workforce responsible for keeping the region’s roads safe, maintained and operating efficiently. The campaign is seeking applicants for Industrial Road Worker positions across North
Mar 16


Students share views with Infrastructure Minister on biggest driver reform in 70 years
(L-R): Dr Darren Mornin Principal of Limavady High School, Cian Canning Head Boy, St Mary's High School Limavady, Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins, Harry Kealey, Head Boy, Limavady High School and Sean Mullan Principal of St Mary's High School. One of the biggest changes to driver licensing in Northern Ireland in almost 70 years is set to reshape how young people learn to drive — with new rules aimed at tackling the high number of serious road collisions involving new driv
Mar 13


From Ballymena to net zero: Minister sees future of travel as 322 zero-emission buses hit roads
Minister Kimmins is pictured with Sarah Schaefer, ESG Director and John McLeister, Managing Director of Sales for the UK and Ireland The push to decarbonise Northern Ireland’s transport network took centre stage in Ballymena this week as Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins visited Wrightbus to see first-hand how the sector is shaping the journey to net zero. Touring the factory floor, the Minister met staff and viewed progress on zero-emission bus technology that is already
Mar 2


Kimmins injects £2.5M to fix Northern Ireland’s winter-damaged roads
Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins has announced an additional £2.5million investment in essential roads maintenance this financial year, reinforcing her commitment to tackling the toll recent severe weather has taken on Northern Ireland’s road network. Since December, Minister Kimmins has overseen more than £40million in roads funding, including a £30million December Monitoring Allocation supporting 40 resurfacing schemes and a £7.85million Winter Recovery Road Fund targeti
Feb 24


Alderman Stewart McDonald welcomes DfI confirmation of imminent Sand Road resurfacing works
Alderman Stewart McDonald welcomes the confirmation of resurfacing works on Sand Road, Galgorm Resurfacing works on Sand Road, Galgorm are expected to commence soon after confirmation from the Department for Infrastructure (DfI), with short-term disruption anticipated while the improvement scheme is carried out. TUV Alderman Stewart McDonald welcomed the update, describing the long-awaited road maintenance as necessary and beneficial for the area. “I welcome confirmation fro
Feb 18


Kilrea Bridge to reopen fully to all traffic after completion of structural repairs
Kilrea Bridge on the B64 Bann Road in Kilrea will fully reopen to all vehicles at 5pm on Wednesday 18 February, following the successful completion of permanent structural repair works, the Department for Infrastructure has confirmed. The bridge, which has been restricted to cars and light vehicles since early December, will once again be accessible to all traffic as width and weight restrictions are lifted. The reopening marks the completion of the main stabilisation works,
Feb 17


Robin Swann warns airport roads are “completely unacceptable”
South Antrim MP Robin Swann South Antrim MP Robin Swann has called on the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) to make urgent investment in the deteriorating road network surrounding Belfast International Airport and the M2 motorway, warning that the current condition poses safety risks and damages vehicles on one of Northern Ireland’s most important transport corridors. Highlighting the scale of the problem, Mr Swann said the state of the roads serving the airport and M2 w
Feb 10


Kimmins launches £7.85m Winter Recovery Road Fund to tackle road damage
Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins has launched a £7.85 million Winter Recovery Road Fund to address widespread damage caused by recent severe weather, following a sharp rise in potholes and surface defects across the road network. The announcement comes in addition to 40 resurfacing schemes already programmed after the Minister’s December Monitoring allocation, and is intended to provide an urgent response to the impact of storms, prolonged rainfall, ice and snow. £7.85m f
Feb 8


Agencies on standby as yellow weather warning brings risk of flooding across Northern Ireland
Large waves recorded in Carrickfergus on Thursday afternoon. (Image: Sarah Ellen Photography NI) Multi-agency emergency partners are on high alert as preparations continue ahead of forecast heavy rain across Northern Ireland in the coming days. A Met Office Yellow weather warning for rain is currently in place until 11.59pm on Friday 6 February, with further rainfall expected to continue throughout the weekend. Officials say staff from all relevant agencies are already on the
Feb 5


Minister seeks further funding to repair roads damaged by severe winter weather
Police in Antrim & Newtownabbey issued a warning to drivers on Monday (2nd February) after receiving reports of a large pothole on Tully Road, towards Antrim, that caused damage to a number of vehicles Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins is working to secure an additional funding package to address widespread damage to roads caused by recent severe weather, adding to the £30 million already announced before Christmas. The move follows weeks of disruptive conditions across No
Feb 3
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