AQW 43215/22-27 Written question to the Minister for Infrastructure
To ask the Minister for Infrastructure to detail a timeline for all the phases of the Belfast Rapid Transport Phase 2 project, including when each stretch will become operational, through to 2033.
Asked by Paula Bradshaw MLA on 25 March 2026
- Answered
- Written
- After due date
- Tabled
- 25 March 2026
- Answer due by
- 13 April 2026
- Answered
- 15 April 202621 days after tabling
- Department
- Department for Infrastructure
- Priority question
- No
Answer
The Outline Business Case for the project was submitted to DoF on 25 November 2025 with an estimated delivery cost of £124.5m and this was approved on 22 December 2025.
The current funding position means the project is being planned on a phased-delivery basis.
Whilst a significant funding shortfall remains to deliver the full scheme, the funding envelope of £35m from our Belfast Region City Deal partners along with £13m, which I have committed from my Department’s budget, will allow commencement of the first phase of this project with an expected completion by 2030.
At this stage, no further planning issues have been identified that would inhibit the delivery of any phase of the BRT2 project. This will continue to be monitored, as the complexity of work may necessitate change.
Delivering the full BRT2 programme will require the collective support of Executive colleagues, particularly as resolving the funding shortfall depends on securing additional resources through a future multi-year budget, to ensure this strategically important project can proceed in full, enabling the scheme to deliver its intended benefits for connectivity, economic growth, and sustainable travel across Belfast.