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East Belfast

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

During the East Belfast consultation exercise several issues were raised, however congestion was sited as a major issue. The main road arteries going through East Belfast are becoming increasingly congested with traffic travelling between the city centre and outlying residential areas and towns such as Bangor. Residential roads in areas, such as Parkgate Avenue are being used as rat runs and for commuter parking, impacting adversely on residents.

Relieving congestion will require the development of a modern, efficient and sustainable public transport system that will draw current car users to it. Other more modest initiatives such as traffic calming will help reduce the inconvenience of the growth in traffic in residential roads in the area.

Road Traffic Congestion

Pinch Points

  • Dee Street
  • Sydenham Bypass
  • Woodstock Link
  • Holywood Arches

Causes of Congestion

  • Arterial roads in the area take a lot of through traffic between city and outlying residential areas and towns
  • General land use policies
  • Parking – no enforcement to prevent the following problems:
    • Commuter parking in inner city residential areas
    • Commuter parking on lay-bys outside shops on arterial routes all day (no traffic wardens outside the city centre)
  • Commuter traffic
  • Difficulties in providing public transport service including recruitment and retention of bus drivers
  • Belfast Harbour Estate is a major source of employment and major generator of car traffic in East Belfast

Other Road Issues

Road protection lines have been in place for several decades causing blight, e.g. Holywood Arches Bypass. A decision should be made to build the road or remove the protection line in order to remove the uncertainty and eradicate the blight

Public Transport

  • Perceived empty bus lanes such as Albert Bridge Road causing irritation to car drivers
  • The Odyssey and Harbour Industrial Estate are the main generators of traffic in East Belfast, and yet have very poor public transport links.
  • No rail access to the Belfast City Airport

Cycling/Walking

No Comments

Suggested Initiatives and Solutions

  • More priority should be given to traffic calming in residential areas
  • Invest in a modern, efficient and sustainable transport solutions such as the EWAY proposal in order to alleviate traffic congestion along arterial routes;
  • Improve current public transport provision and introduce discounts on long term tickets thereby making it cheaper in order to compete with the car;
  • Need to re-image and publicise the benefits of using public transport
  • Better information regarding transport timetables and their changes, costs, routes etc;
  • Employers need to introduce Green Travel Plans;
  • Measures to deter car users should be introduced along with improvements to public transport;
  • Better co-ordination of links between buses, planes, trains, pedestrians and cyclists;
  • Better co-ordination between transport policy and planning policy;
  • All major developments or ‘people attractors’ should provide public transport options; and
  • The introduction of ‘Yellow Buses’ to reduce school related traffic

Information