Lisburn

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

Concern was expressed over capacity constraints on road and rail links to Belfast. Traffic destined for Belfast, passes through Lisburn thereby causing congestion in Lisburn city centre. There is frustration among people in the area that roads planned over 30 years ago to relieve this pressure have still not been built. The rundown of the rail link to Antrim is seen as short sighted because it will put further pressure on the roads.

There is a need therefore to implement the proposed by-passes to relieve current pressure points. The group also wanted to see the potential of existing rail links to be fully exploited, including a spur to the International Airport. An increased role for rail (including Dublin-Belfast service halt) may require the relocation of the station to a more accessible location. For the city itself, consideration should be given to the building of park and ride facilities around the city and an enhanced Busybus service. There is a likely need for private investment to get transport solutions in place and if need be vesting should be undertaken.

Road Traffic Congestion

Pinch Points

M1
Blacks Road
Bachelors Walk
North Circular Rd
Wallace Avenue
Saintfield Road
Laganbank Road

Causes of Road Traffic Congestion

Key road schemes that would have relieved traffic and improved road network access have been abandoned by authorities:

South Belfast via Drumbeg, Ballyskeagh to Knockmore Road
Non-completion (as yet) of M1 spur from Dunmurry Bypass

Continuing population growth in Lisburn: 40,000 houses to be built over the next few years

Running down of rail is encouraging road use

Lack of exploitation of public transport alternatives

Congestion Impact

Severe pressure on local roads affecting city life and journey times

Other Road Issues

Success of planned business development in area requires Knockmore- M1 link with zoned land. This, however, appears to have been dropped from the Area Plan

Threat to potential availability of P&R sites and exploitation of existing interchanges arising from pressures to develop this land.

Concern was expressed over timing of the BMAP and BMTP, there is a danger that they will seriously get out of kilter

Retail businesses are concerned about the future of parking in the city centre

Public Transport

Bus service to Belfast is particularly unreliable during peak hours.

The Lisburn-Antrim rail link is only providing skeletal service at present

Opportunity to link with Belfast/Dublin service is being missed

The current location of station is not good as it has limited space to develop a Park and Ride role

Busybus services are good but routes at present are relatively limited

Traffic at peak hours slows down the journey time of buses and thus impacts negatively on their attractiveness