The Strangford Lough Crossing: A Strategic Network Gap Hiding in Plain Sight How a 75km detour for an 800m gap reveals systematic failure in Northern Ireland’s transport planning The Problem in Simple Terms Stand in Strangford and look across the water. You can see Portaferry, less than a kilometer away on the Ards Peninsula. Wave […]
Review of NI AADT figures, SLC viability. DfI assessment should respectfully reconsider using UK TAG methodology Key Metrics – 2023 Northern Ireland Traffic Count Data 📊 Coverage & Data Availability 📍 Geographic Distribution 🚗 Traffic Volumes (7-Day AADT) 🏆 Top 5 Busiest Sites 🚛 Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGV) 🛣️ Road Types Note: The busiest traffic […]
Dublin’s MetroLink is a planned underground metro line connecting Swords to Charlemont in the city, offering several key benefits based on project details and analyses: Overview of Economic Impacts Dublin’s MetroLink project is projected to deliver substantial economic benefits through improved transport efficiency, reduced congestion, and enhanced connectivity, particularly along the Swords-Dublin Airport-city Centre corridor. […]
Understanding Reprofiling of Capital Expenditure in the UK Government Context Reprofiling of capital expenditure refers to the strategic adjustment of the timing and allocation of government capital spending—such as investments in infrastructure, buildings, and major projects—across fiscal years, without necessarily altering the overall total budget envelope. This process is often undertaken to align spending with […]
Bangor Marina, located in the coastal town of Bangor, County Down, Northern Ireland, is the largest marina facility on the island of Ireland, with over 500 berths and a prestigious five-gold-anchor accreditation. Opened in 1989, it transformed the town’s historic harbour—originally renovated in 1917—into a modern boating hub on Belfast Lough, capitalizing on Bangor’s long-standing […]
As of September 30, 2025, several construction-related projects and frameworks in Northern Ireland are out to tender or open for ongoing applications. These include dynamic shortlisting systems (frameworks that remain open for suppliers to apply) from the Education Authority, as well as specific tenders aggregated from industry sources. Note that public tenders are typically advertised […]
Overview of Light Rail Concepts Around Strangford LoughBased on available information, there are no existing or proposed light rail (or tram) concepts specifically designed to loop around Strangford Lough in County Down, Northern Ireland. Strangford Lough is a large marine inlet spanning about 150 square km, with a perimeter that would require a loop of […]
Contained below is a summary of the main law reform currently being advanced by the Northern Ireland Executive (and Assembly) around Dilapidations / derelict / neglected sites & buildings. Key Reform: The Dilapidation Bill The principal legislative development is the Dilapidation Bill, which has been approved by the NI Executive (5 June 2025) and is […]
The resurgence of interest in building new towns or large-scale urban developments in the UK and Ireland The resurgence of interest in building new towns or large-scale urban developments in the UK and Ireland stems from a combination of acute housing shortages, rapid population growth, economic pressures, and the need for sustainable, infrastructure-supported communities. This […]
The growing problems with ductwork and pipework in new buildings across the UK, and particularly in Northern Ireland, stem from a combination of systemic, technical, and regulatory factors. While the issues are multifaceted, a common pattern is emerging, characterized by underfunding, poor design, inadequate installation practices, and insufficient maintenance planning. Below is a detailed analysis […]