Roads to International Airport in Urgent Need for Upgrades – Robin Swann MP

Robin Swann MP has called on the Department of Infrastructure to increase investment in the road infrastructure surrounding Belfast International Airport. Following a behind-the-scenes visit to the airport and a meeting with Airport management, the South Antrim MP said:

“In addition to the much-needed rail links to the International Airport, the existing road infrastructure surrounding the airport needs to be an urgent priority for the Infrastructure Minister.

“For many of those visiting Northern Ireland as tourists, on business or to see family, the airport - and the drive from the airport to wherever they’re heading - is their first impression of Northern Ireland – so we need to make it a good one. The International Airport site itself will see an investment of over £100m as part of a five-year investment plan, and the Airport has recently spent thousands of pounds on signage for Department for Infrastructure roads. It is now up to the Department to maintain the roadways leading to and from the airport.

“Many of my constituents live around the airport, and a significant number work there and commute on these roads. I’ve had quite a few of these constituents getting in touch with my office to raise their concerns about the state of the roads, and I know this is an issue the senior management of the airport have raised with the Department as well.

“The Ballyrobin Road between the Airport and the Killead roundabout, the A26, and some of the more rural backroads to the airport which are often used by the more local population, are in significant need for investment.

“I am fully aware of the budgetary constraints facing DfI, but this is an incredibly important site. I call on the Minister to make connectivity to the International Airport, by both rail and road, a top priority for her Department as this site is not only the gateway to Northern Ireland, but also a hugely significant employer in the Antrim area.”