In June 2025, the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) launched a public consultation on its draft of The Transport Strategy 2035, which aims to outline a refreshed vision and strategic direction for Northern Ireland’s transport system over the next decade.
RSUA submitted a response ahead of the consultation deadline on 16 September 2025. Thanks go to members of the Climate Emergency Committee Maeve Gorman, Donal MacRandal and Martin Marshall for their assistance in its preparation.
Aspirational, not “actionable”
We commented that the Strategy is more aspirational than “actionable”, as was stated in its Ministerial Foreword. The draft would benefit from clearer detail on actions, timelines and outcomes and, where these are not yet available, the Strategy should say so explicitly.
Strengthening Strategic Priorities
RSUA supports the four overarching Strategic Priorities for Transport: (1) Resilient and Sustainable (2) Supporting Connected and Inclusive Communities (3) Safe and Healthy and (4) Supporting Green Growth.
However, we advised that DfI should strengthen the measurability of progress towards these priorities to improve monitoring and accountability.
Delivering what we really need
As the DfI Minister describes this Strategy as “the beginning of a bold and necessary journey”, we believe it should first address the most significant gaps in transport infrastructure while also considering wider system improvements.
The Strategy should create a method to prioritise projects based on existing government commitments, DfI’s limited resources and real-world need.
Discouraging car use
Promoting sustainable travel requires making private car use less attractive, an emphasis which the current draft lacks. We called on the Department to prioritise pedestrians in town and city centres, reduce parking provision, raise parking costs and set out how car-centric developments can be retrofitted to support more sustainable modes of transport.
Can this Strategy deliver?
The draft contains no new funding commitments, a serious concern given its ambitious aims. We again stressed the need for a clear framework to target DfI’s resources for greatest impact and warned that without dedicated funding many proposals may not be delivered within the next decade.
RSUA’s full response to the consultation can be accessed here.
If you have any questions or comments about our response, please contact Curtis Large, RSUA Policy and Public Affairs Officer, at curtis@rsua.org.uk
