To ask the Minister for Infrastructure for an update on plans to introduce residents' parking schemes for built-up areas in South Belfast.

Ms Kimmins

Following the introduction of the first residents' parking scheme in the North on Rugby Road and College Park Avenue in Belfast, my Department completed a review of the scheme and our wider approach to residents' parking. Whilst the review found that the scheme introduced on Rugby Road has been generally well received among the residents of the area, it highlighted how other such schemes have been difficult to implement. Challenges to progressing the schemes have included the resource-intensive nature of continuous redesigns of potential schemes and the inability to secure the appropriate level of consensus among local residents for a scheme to be implemented, which is a fundamental premise of the residents' parking policy. Following the publication of the review, there has been a significant level of interest in the establishment of residents' parking zones across the North. Given the level of demand and ongoing budgetary and resource constraints, I have asked my officials to develop an application process for demand-led schemes and an assessment process for all potential residents' parking schemes to ensure that any requests can be appropriately considered. That process will take into account the findings and recommendations of the review and provide a streamlined approach for considering, assessing and prioritising requests. I am considering officials' recommendations on this, and I intend to make an announcement imminently on how future schemes will be assessed by my Department.

Madam Principal Deputy Speaker

Paula, you have 30 seconds.

Ms Kimmins

As I have said, I am due to make an announcement on that, which will hopefully detail what steps are to be taken next.

Madam Principal Deputy Speaker

We now move to topical questions.