Air & Sea
Please note that the views expressed in the below consultation summary were recorded during the Reference Group meeting held September 2001 and do not necessarily reflect the views of the BMTP team.
Introduction
This group addressed accessibility and capacities of Belfast’s port/airports (or ‘gateways’). Congestion, which impacts on ease of access/egress, rather than gateway capacities is the most pressing problem. The solutions sought concern improving public transport links in terms of speed and reliability between gateways and the centre of the city
Gateway Issues
Airport capacities are generally good, however, future significant development of Belfast City airport will likely to be restricted by existing capacity of terminal to process passengers
Shipping berth capacity is also generally good
Concerns were expressed about growing difficulties in accessing the City Airport and the Port
Opening hours (06.30-21.30) of City Airport leaves gap for business who want to travel from London in the evening after 21.30.
Exchange rate with punt/euro makes holiday and leisure air travel from Dublin attractive to NI residents
Road Traffic Congestion
Pinch Points
- Westlink
- Sydenham Bypass
- Dee Street (Bridge)
- Templepatrick and Sandyknowes
Causes of Congestion
- Local traffic on key southern approach routes is seriously obstructing strategic traffic destined for Belfast Port and the City airport
- Expected that the development of D5 site will add considerably to congestion and until affect access to City Airport
- Bridge strengthening is currently causing traffic build-up
- Centralisation of services in Belfast will increase commuter traffic from outlying areas
- Fragmentation and lack of co-ordination among planning authorities
Congestion Impact
Peak time City airport access is a problem.
Other Issues
Present trends suggest that City Airport could face terminal capacity constraints in coming years
Limited hours of airline operation in the evening mean passengers need to be at the airport for 6pm thereby disrupting the business day
Public Transport
Access to the City Airport by bus and taxi is impeded by traffic congestion especially during peak travel times
Cycling/Walking
Foot passengers face difficult access /egress from Belfast port, with taxi being the most convenient mode. Port Authority wanted rail halt situated close to port.
Suggested Initiatives and Solutions
Need for rail and/or priority bus link to City Airport
Make hard shoulder of by-pass into bus/public transport lane
Preparation and implementation of appropriate elements of traffic management ‘toolkit’ to address problems
Planning and other procedures should be streamlined to enable much faster implementation of the road improvements Better integration of planning authorities.
Better joined up public transport timetabling, bus and rail is required to increase utilisation with more flexible working hours in Belfast to spread the traffic load over longer periods
Improved and ‘joined up’ transport links are required to ensure the region’s competitiveness and so that goods are able to move more reliably and expeditiously (most expensive element of international freight is road transport)
With increasing pressure on housing land in the Greater Belfast Area and more being required in satellite towns, improved road access must be provided thereto. Centralisation of services in Belfast will also increase commuter traffic from outlying areas
Traffic is growing at levels greater than that used in some forecasts and realistic figures should be used for assessment of infrastructure needs after discounting the hopefully short-term effects of Foot and Mouth disease and 11 September terrorism attacks on the U.S
Upgrading of M1, Sydenham Byass, Westlink to take more capacity
