To ask the Minister for Infrastructure to detail the steps her Department is taking to improve transport connections in rural areas.

Since coming into office, I have been clear that my priority is addressing regional imbalance, better connecting communities and, importantly, ensuring that we shape our places around our people, for our people and with our people.

My officials are currently developing a new suite of transport plans, with the first in line for completion being the Regional Strategic Transport Network Transport Plan. It will set out future investment and improvement for our strategic transport networks, by road, rail and bus, and reflect my commitment to improving connectivity for the benefit of our economy and communities across all of the North. It is expected to be issued for consultation later this year.

Despite severe resource budgetary challenges faced by my Department I have maintained funding to the Rural Community Transport Providers to provide Dial-a-Lift services which are intended to complement the wider public transport network. These services provide specialist transport services for those who have difficulty in using or accessing public transport. Work is also continuing on my Departments extensive programme to provide new Park & Ride facilities which enhance connectivity and access to public transport services for those living in rural areas.

I am actively working with Councils in relation to their emerging Local Development Plans with the aim of enhancing sustainable connectivity for rural communities. In the shorter term Translink will be reviewing timetables from September for a number of rural services.

I believe that rail has huge untapped potential to deliver multiple benefits across our island and I am committed to addressing regional imbalance by improving connectivity to the North West area. In line with this, I have commissioned a feasibility study to get Phase 3 of the Coleraine to Derry project back on track. I have also commissioned additional studies to explore the possibility of a half hourly service from Derry to Belfast as well as providing additional halts at Ballykelly, Strathfoyle and City of Derry Airport/Eglinton.

I have also launched the Strategic All-Island Rail Review that will explore the opportunities to better connect communities and open up opportunities for our island economy. Travel by rail is an issue I am very passionate about and I believe it has massive untapped potential to deliver multiple benefits across our island. This Review will allow us to consider the rail network across this island and how we can improve it. I look forward to working with colleagues North and South as we maximise the opportunities from rail in particular to transform travel and opportunities for all our citizens who share this Island.