Work to start on new Belfast bus lanes

Published Wednesday, 16 January 2013

Further traffic disruption is expected in Belfast this month when more new bus lanes are introduced.

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Phase two of the Belfast on the Move scheme begins on 28 January.

Many drivers complained of congestion in the city when the first set of lanes were opened last September.

However the Department of Regional Development said traffic flows have since reduced, while bus usage has increased by around 1,500 passengers per day compared to 2011.

"It is expected that, like phase one, there will be a 'bedding in' period for the new works," explained Roads Minister Danny Kennedy.

"We would therefore ask everyone to be patient and allow extra time for their journey."

The second phase of the works will involve changes to lanes in Great Victoria Street, Fisherwick Place, Grosvenor Road, College Avenue, College Square East, Wellington Place, Donegall Square North, Donegall Square East and Chichester Street.

Cycle tracks will be introduced in Victoria Street and Ann Street, and there will be resurfacing work in College Square North, Durham Street and Grosvenor Road.

The work is expected to be finished by the summer.

Mr Kennedy continued: "The aim of Belfast on the Move is to make the city centre more accessible to everyone.

"To achieve this we are encouraging the use of public transport for those who can readily access it and at the same time creating more road space for those who are simply unable to use public transport."

Comments

4 Comments

Tom in Ballyclare wrote (127 days ago):

The planners are having a laugh. I travel all over Europe and I have not seen such a nonsense anywhere. We live in Ballyclare and will certainly avoid shopping in Belfast now. Why don't they just pedestrian the whole of the city centre as effectively no cars can now drive through it, where else do you have one lane available through a European capital city? Traffic from the city hospital to the centre at rush hour will be hilarious now.

William in belfast wrote (128 days ago):

More cycle lanes for Belfast city center, what a great idea, for of course lots of people go shopping on a pushbike. More Bus lanes, another great idea, lots of people go bulk shopping on buses. Have to say don't go shopping in Belfast city center myself anymore, it's much easier to go sopping at a mall on the outskirts of the city, where there are no bus lanes, and parking is easy. Is this what local accountability means? local politicians, like Danny Kennedy, pushing ahead which a scheme to cause more congestion and disruption at a time when many shops in the city center are on the verge of closing. Maybe we were better of under direct rule, since I have no doubt that all the local political parties would have been queuing up to condemn this lunatic scheme, and an embarrassed Secretary of State, might have actually listened to public opinion.

tommy in belfast wrote (128 days ago):

more traffic chaos in moths ahead half of the bus drivers dont even know which lane they are supposed to be in its a total shambles i was actually sitting in a so called bus lane after 7 waiting on a passenger with my hazzord lights on at the back of city hall a few weeks ago traffic was very light so i stopped and put my hazzords on when a bus driver pulled up to me he was in the lane closest to city hall which was not the bus lane he was 2 lanes across he opened his doors and tooted his horn on me and shouted hey your are in a bus lane with a very angry look on his face and i said what i am in a bus lane and he said yes so i had to ask him if im in the bus lane what are you doing over theere in that lane then and what was his reply?? he shut the doors and drove of unbelieveable but it seems buses want all the city centure lanes

pat in belfast wrote (129 days ago):

Belfast city center is just one big bus station,every bus in Belfast goes thru the city center. Dont see many city halls anywere that are a bus stations.Someone with a bit of sense needs to look at the big picture and come with a plan to have buses parked of the city center instead of havin 2/3 buses parked side by side blocking lanes. Eg buses from falls direction to turn into college st and wait there,ormeau/east belfast turn into adelaide st and park there seems a sensible way of keeping traffic running in city center which needs all the buissness it can get as it looks like more and more shops are closing down.