Here’s a thread on Northern Ireland’s connectivity.
(And also see my article for @NorthernSlant 👇) /1
(And also see my article for @NorthernSlant 👇) /1
With much talk of the recent #Flybe collapse and the #BorisBridge what is the future of transport in NI - how can we boost connectivity? /2
Why is connectivity so important?
📍Lack of infrastructure puts businesses and communities at a disadvantage
📍More infrastructure will boost NI in regional, national and global level and attract further financial investment /3
📍Lack of infrastructure puts businesses and communities at a disadvantage
📍More infrastructure will boost NI in regional, national and global level and attract further financial investment /3
#Flybe collapse was huge issue - it accounted for 3/4 of flights at @BELFASTCITY_AIR (although @EasternAirways and @FlyLoganair have stepped in on some routes to Inverness, Aberdeen and Southampton) /4 theguardian.com/business/2020/…
Key struggle is #APD
Belfast-Manchester return is £26 APD
Provides £3.7 Billion for government a year /5
lexology.com/library/detail…
Belfast-Manchester return is £26 APD
Provides £3.7 Billion for government a year /5
lexology.com/library/detail…
APD debate not new.
@niexecutive slashed APD on long haul flights in 2011 when powers were devolved
Further devolution promised by Treasury for short haul flights too but this never arrived.
Could it have saved #Flybe ? /6
gov.uk/government/new…
@niexecutive slashed APD on long haul flights in 2011 when powers were devolved
Further devolution promised by Treasury for short haul flights too but this never arrived.
Could it have saved #Flybe ? /6
gov.uk/government/new…
Although worth saying that consultation is underway as per @LouiseBTS and @emilymmason /6a
APD also never cut despite pressure from @duponline after confidence and supply deal of 2017 election.
Now DUP has little influence in Westminster now that Conservatives have majority /7
theguardian.com/politics/2017/…
Now DUP has little influence in Westminster now that Conservatives have majority /7
theguardian.com/politics/2017/…
@BALPApilots had called for @RishiSunak to suspend APD in #Budget2020 - these changes never came /8 - cityam.com/pilots-union-c…
No APD mention in New Decade, New Approach
Only commitment to improve connectivity and mention of Cork-Belfast and Derry-Dublin flights /9
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/upl…
Only commitment to improve connectivity and mention of Cork-Belfast and Derry-Dublin flights /9
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/upl…
@BELFASTCITY_AIR has struggled for a while
Runway extension plans cut in 2012
Thought to have led to @Ryanair pulling out of airport
@AerLingus have also pulled out of holiday routes /10
bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northe…
Runway extension plans cut in 2012
Thought to have led to @Ryanair pulling out of airport
@AerLingus have also pulled out of holiday routes /10
bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northe…
@CoDerryAirport also not safe - new manager faces big challenge.
In Nov, the airport told councillors that £6M needed to continue operation beyond 2021 /11
derryjournal.com/business/new-m…
In Nov, the airport told councillors that £6M needed to continue operation beyond 2021 /11
derryjournal.com/business/new-m…
@belfastairport not secure either
📍Long security queues
📍Ryanair pulling out of some routes
📍Thomas Cook collapse
📍Only one transatlantic flight /12
bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northe…
📍Long security queues
📍Ryanair pulling out of some routes
📍Thomas Cook collapse
📍Only one transatlantic flight /12
bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northe…
Big competition from @DublinAirport with its US preclearance and @Ryanair budget flights.
How can NI airports really compete with monolith of Dublin? /13
How can NI airports really compete with monolith of Dublin? /13
NI also has huge lack of rail infrastructure compared to the Republic.
Particularly problem is the North West
@Paddygray1 /14
Particularly problem is the North West
@Paddygray1 /14
This @nigreenways map shows disused railway tracks in NI.
Not saying to convert all these but shows potential if political ambition is there /15
Not saying to convert all these but shows potential if political ambition is there /15
@Translink_NI Journey times are long as well
📍@nirailways Belfast-Derry 2:12
📍212 @GoldlineNI 1:45
📍@EnterpriseTrain Belfast-Dublin 2:05
📍@DublinCoach1 Belfast-Dublin 1:50
Investment needed to improve this:
/16
bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northe…
📍@nirailways Belfast-Derry 2:12
📍212 @GoldlineNI 1:45
📍@EnterpriseTrain Belfast-Dublin 2:05
📍@DublinCoach1 Belfast-Dublin 1:50
Investment needed to improve this:
/16
bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northe…
@NicholaMallon of @deptinfra and @MathesonMichael of @theSNP have written to @grantshapps for increased devolved transport budgets for own projects rather than #BorisBridge /17
amp.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-…
amp.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-…
These calls from #Nationalist politicians could boost local infrastructure.
Would also boost #Unionism as shows Westminster actually caring about devolved institutions /18
Would also boost #Unionism as shows Westminster actually caring about devolved institutions /18
This would all boost transport infrastructure.
Can NI become less Belfast-centric?
Can we boost rural towns and villages - would help vulnerable and elderly /19
Can NI become less Belfast-centric?
Can we boost rural towns and villages - would help vulnerable and elderly /19
Would also boost tourism in NI and show off what we have to offer.
ROI election showed the power of young environmentally engaged voters - NI politicians should be looking to pick up these voters too - sustainable transport investment would help /20
ROI election showed the power of young environmentally engaged voters - NI politicians should be looking to pick up these voters too - sustainable transport investment would help /20
Thanks for reading this thread - here’s my @NorthernSlant article with more detail /20
northernslant.com/is-boosting-no…
northernslant.com/is-boosting-no…
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