To ask the Minister for Regional Development what consideration she has given to the development of a separate rural transport strategy.

My Department’s policy “Ensuring a Sustainable Transport Future: A New Approach to Regional Transportation” outlines the High Level Aims and Strategic Objectives for transportation in Northern Ireland. Recognising that the transport needs of those who live in rural areas differ from those in urban areas it includes a strategic objective to improve access in rural areas. Whilst other strategic objectives of the policy will also benefit rural communities the inclusion of a specifically rural strategic objective should ensure that the needs of rural dwellers are considered as this policy is implemented.