T3. Ms Nicholl asked the Minister for Infrastructure for an update on the north to south Glider route. (AQT 383/22-27)

Is that phase 2 of the Glider route?

Yes.

I am working with my officials to see how we can progress the next steps of delivering the decision that I made a number of years ago on the Antrim route and to move it out further than south Belfast and beyond that again. Again, we face financial challenges, but we can make progress on the first part of my decision in this term. I also want to make sure that I lay firm foundations to progress the Glider service so that it serves as many people as possible, because it has been proven to be a very effective and efficient means of delivering of public transport, and it has taken significant numbers of private vehicles off the roads.

Thank you, Minister. When I receive casework queries from constituents in Carryduff, the number-one issue that is raised is when the Lidl will open, and the second one is whether the Glider scheme will be extended to serve Carryduff. Are you able to answer that question and commit to the Glider service extending to Carryduff?

The ambition is for the Glider route to proceed to Carryduff. I cannot give you a time frame, but, yes, the ambition is for the Glider service to go out as far as Carryduff.