North-south Belfast Glider plans scaled back

Plans to extend Belfast's Glider bus service to the north and south of the city are being scaled back because they are "not economically viable".

Stormont's infrastructure minister, Liz Kimmins, told the Northern Ireland Assembly that proposals to extend the plans to Glengormley in the north and Carryduff in the south cannot progress at this time.

The north-south Glider is estimated to cost up to £148m, but just £35m has been secured through Belfast Region City Deal funding.

Members of the DUP, SDLP and Alliance party have criticised the decision, including the leader of the assembly's opposition Matthew O'Toole who described it as "shameful".

The Department for Infrastructure (DfI) has previously estimated the route could be operational by 2030.

The Glider service involves a fleet of purple-coloured articulated buses, which are based on a tram design.

Its first phase was launched in 2018, with services running between east and west Belfast.

The second phase, known as Belfast Rapid Transit 2 (BRT2), aims to extend the service to the north and south of the city.

In 2022, it was announced the preferred route was along the Antrim Road in the north, and the Ormeau and Saintfield roads in the south.

Speaking in the assembly on Tuesday, Kimmins said "full funding for the delivery of this scheme is not available at present".

But she said her department has "developed options to maximise the benefits from the available funding in advance of the delivery of the full scheme".

The Sinn Féin minister said any extension of the Glider service towards Carryduff was "not economically viable at this time" and for Glengormley it was "not feasible at this time".

She said she proposes in this early phase of BRT2 to deliver a full proposed extension to the G2 service, providing links to Queen's University and the City Hospital.

Kimmins told members of the legislative assembly (MLAs) she remains "fully committed to progressing the entirety of the scheme".

O'Toole, said it was a "deeply disappointing day" for people in north and south Belfast.

"People were made promises, they've been let down," the MLA for Belfast South said.

"It is shameful to see Ministers and other Executive party representatives trumpet this announcement as 'progress' when it is exactly the opposite."

Kimmins said she understood frustrations people may have, but said she had to work with funding already provided to her department.

DUP North Belfast MLA Phillip Brett described the statement as "utter nonsense".

"Now you're saying you're going to do another feasibility study, you've come here with a nine-page statement... are you seriously saying you can't tell us where you're proposing to stop the Glider route in north Belfast?"

Kimmins replied that the MLA had made his views clear with his "constant tutting and sighing" during her statement and said she would follow up with as much detail as possible.

Alliance infrastructure spokesperson, MLA Peter McReynolds, said the new route has "failed to meet the expectations of many with key areas in the north and south being left out".

"I am also concerned about the significant funding shortfall of over £100m stated by the minister today, which resulted in the scaling back," he said.

"This shortfall could also delay the full implementation of the East Belfast Glider extension from Titanic Quarter to Queen's University and the City Hospital".

Chris McCracken, Managing Director of Linen Quarter BID, has welcomed the announcement.

"This is a positive for the thousands of people who work in, and enjoy, the area every day, and supports our vision for the Linen Quarter as a sustainable district," he said.

"However, we appreciate that this is only the first step of the journey and ask that the NI Executive ensures the remaining £100m capital investment is prioritised to facilitate the completion of the scheme."