To ask the Minister for Regional Development (i) when the detailed plans for the Rapid Transit (E-WAY) will be completed; and (ii) if any formal decisions have been taken regarding the route on the city-centre side of the Holywood Arches junction.

Following the Executive's endorsement of the findings of the Strategic Outline Case (SOC), a dedicated Rapid Transit Division has been established to take the project forward. As part of the preliminary design, the division is considering a range of route options to best meet the objectives within the SOC, and at present is carrying out the necessary on-site surveys. Therefore, no formal decisions have been made at this time about any of the routes, including the city-centre side of the Holywood Arches junction. As this work will take some time to complete, it is likely to be towards the latter part of this year before detailed plans would be available.