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Newtonabbey

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

Traffic congestion on the general road network during peak hours was cited as a serious problem in the area – making it particularly difficult for employees to commute to businesses located either within or out of the area. This has had a knock-on effect by contributing to recruitment difficulties.

This group wanted to see increased investment in public transport to relieve the pressure on the roads. Concern was expressed at the apparent low utilisation of the existing bus lanes, suggesting that this did not help the image of bus transport. Road widening should be undertaken where it can definitely address specific pinch points although a overall increase in road construction is not going to solve the general congestion problem. In addition, the location of park and ride sites could reduce the level of through traffic coming from areas to the north and west of Newtownabbey.

Road Traffic Congestion

Pinch Points

  • Mallusk to Jordanstown
  • B90 to Carrick
  • A2
  • Sandyknowes Roundabout
  • Glenville Road – rat run
  • Town centres – Glengormley, Ballyclare

Causes of Congestion

  • Mallusk has become a major employment centre in the last few years without appropriate and commensurate improvement in the road network
  • Housing development is racing ahead of infrastructure in the wider area. Large scale housing developments occurring in Ballyclare and Ballymena
  • No substantial road improvements in the last 25 years in the area but some road widening has been undertaken
  • Public transport does not offer a ‘realistic’ alternative to the car
  • Empty bus lanes (Station Road for example) take up road space
  • Lack of culture of public transport use
  • Cheap car parking in Belfast

Congestion Impact

  • Businesses in the area are staggering working hours and employees are having to take unusual routes
  • Businesses are experiencing recruitment shortages because of poor accessibility caused by congestion
  • Pedestrian accidents are occurring as a result of increased traffic. For example on Jordanstown Road among students
  • There has been an increase in rat-running within residential roads – traffic calming is increasingly being demanded. (Although some people object because of effect it might have on house prices)

    Congestion on one part of the network leads to knock-on effects elsewhere. For example, people are using the Glen Road to avoid Sandyknowes
  • Police representatives indicated that ‘road rage’ is becoming more frequent
  • Difficult right turn out of the University of Ulster on to the Shore Road – accident hot spot
  • On-street car parking in residential areas exacerbated by Park and Display scheme in Ballyclare

Other Road Issues

  • Poor internal road links in the area. Existing road infrastructure is primarily radial will lack of orbital routes
  • Current guidance on parking for the University of Ulster is not realistic need more parking because of limited public transport
  • There was a proposal for a Park & Ride at Corrs Corner
  • Centralisation of services such as health at Antrim Hospital is generating longer and more difficult journeys
  • There was a proposed Ballyclare bypass

Public Transport

  • The public transport system is too radial in orientation (the area has a number of commercial and residential centres) and service on these routes can be infrequent, while there are discontinuities in bus lanes.
  • Newtownabbey should benefit from the current programme of rail upgrading
  • University of Ulster – students dependent on car because of poor frequency and schedules of buses
  • There is a very limited local bus service within the area
  • An opportunity was missed by not extending rail line to the Jordanstown campus
  • Access to Antrim Hospital for elderly is limited by public transport
  • Ballyclare town centre has no proper bus stops i.e. no covered waiting areas
  • The location of bus stops in Ballyclare town centre is such that passengers have to board and alight buses in between parked cars.

Cycling/Walking

No Comments.

Suggested Initiatives and Solutions

  • Need for a ‘holistic’ or multimodal approach to local transport, encompassing transport, land and economic authorities as well as a means where points of view can be communicated effectively applying appropriate land use and transport policies
  • Need to develop Park and Ride facilities to relieve the pressure on the road network from traffic emanating from the north and west of Newtownabbey. Could be located where main arteries taper off on approach to Newtownabbey
  • Specific pinch points such as the Sandyknowes roundabout need addressing and other road improvement to increase capacity is needed. These improvements would complement and facilitate an improved bus system
  • The A2 needs widening to take traffic from other roads in the area
  • The for substantial improvement in public transport including the bus service as main element. This requires improved reliability and journey times – a full utilisation of bus lanes is essential to maintain goodwill of public towards the bus service
  • In order to alleviate some of the congestion problem in Ballyclare, a westerly eastern bypass for commuting traffic is required
  • Need for rail link to University of Ulster at Jordanstown
  • Need for Translink to understand the needs of users and plan services accordingly
  • Only better public transport system would justify road tolling
  • Traffic calming planned for in coming years but not always welcomed by residents
  • Examination of scope for bus/rail interchanges
  • Businesses could contribute through provision of flexitime and crèches

Information