Vital community transport service must be maintained

Carla Lockhart MP • March 28, 2023

Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has met with representatives of DART, the local community transport provider, to discuss uncertainty with their funding for the next financial year.

After the meeting, Carla said:

“DART provide an essential service to many people locally, particularly those who have no other means of getting around. This can be the case for residents in rural areas who have to get to the doctor, pick up a prescription or get the weekly shopping and have no access to a vehicle.

The Department for Infrastructure have said the funding for this service in the next financial year is uncertain. Only April is being promised and beyond that nothing is guaranteed. That is not good enough, with a cloud of doubt hanging over this essential community service.

I am calling on the Department to step up to provide the necessary finance moving forward to ensure this community transport is maintained moving forward. We need certainty, not just for DART, but also for service users to depend on this service to get from A to B.”

< Older Post

Newer Post >

Lockhart Highlights Strong Community Spirit Across Upper Bann at Local Events

By Carla Lockhart MP • April 15, 2026

Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has praised the strength of community spirit across the constituency following a busy Saturday attending a range of local events and initiatives.

Lockhart Leads Parliamentary Debate One Year After Landmark Women’s Rights Ruling

By Carla Lockhart MP • April 14, 2026

DUP Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has led a Parliamentary debate marking the first anniversary of the Supreme Court ruling in For Women Scotland v Scottish Ministers, warning that a year on, the Government has failed to deliver the clarity and protections women were promised.

MP says Government must “act now” to support agriculture, haulage and construction industries

By Carla Lockhart MP • April 14, 2026

Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart is co-ordinating a collaborative initiative which reflects shared demands from across the agriculture, haulage and construction industries, urgently calling for practical and meaningful solutions as the UK’s fuel crisis deepens.

Lockhart Warns Government Action Needed as Pressure Mounts Across Key Industries

By Carla Lockhart MP • April 11, 2026

DUP Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has issued a stark warning to the UK Government, urging immediate action to support key sectors as pressure continues to build across agriculture, construction and haulage.

Farm tax reforms a betrayal of UK agriculture

By Carla Lockhart MP • April 10, 2026

Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has accused the Labour Government of betraying the UK’s agricultural industry and generations of farmers who work tirelessly to feed the nation.

Farmers must not be burdened by unjustified bureaucracy under guise of sustainability

By Carla Lockhart MP • April 10, 2026

DUP Agriculture spokesperson, Carla Lockhart MP, has said that farmers must not be burdened with unjustified bureaucracy under the guise of sustainability, warning that current carbon auditing proposals risk undermining confidence across the NI agri-food sector.