Road

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 brought together range of organisations with a particular interest in the road system including freight and the police. Congestion was identified as a key problem. From the perspective of freight companies in particular, congestion poses a significant obstacle to efficient use of vehicles and access to gateways while from the perspective of other road users, freight vehicles are often perceived to be a contributory cause to congestion. Concern was also expressed over the condition of road surfaces and the impact that these have on road safety, particularly for two-wheeled vehicles.

Investment in public transport infrastructure and services and the promotion of their use among the public was proposed as forming the essential core of a strategy designed to reduce road congestion. However, key strategic freight routes such as Westlink should be focus of continued improvement. Consideration should be given to prioritising freight traffic on strategic routes.

Road Traffic Congestion

Pinch Points

Westlink (although commitment to improvement welcomed)
Stretches of Dublin-Belfast road links
Larne route

Causes of Congestion

Retail and other freight customers want timed deliveries throughout the day including peak hours. Getting freight to deliver outside of peak hours is not feasible
Stop/start by heavy vehicles perceived as adding to slow movement and congestion
Lack of enforcement of Clearways. (Prioritisation, by law, of traffic police resources on Motorway system).
Under-investment in public transport leading to reliance on car
Bad road layout and design can also contribute to build-ups in Belfast
Previous lack of integration of land-use and transport planning
Availability of free parking and relative convenience of car

Congestion Impact

Imposes direct cost on freight operators and ultimately consumers

Other Road Issues

EU working time directive is going to have the effect of increasing the number of lorries on the road.
Empty bus lanes leads to loss of space for heavy vehicles
Cregagh Road bus lane is displacing car parking
Poor parking provision for motorcyclists generally
Lack of maintenance of road surfaces is made worse by lorry traffic
Little or no parking facilities for lorry drivers
‘Account’ heavy vehicles escaping licensing procedures. There are safety concerns about this
Condition of road surfaces is now a major safety concern
Road safety and road network planning/construction carried out by different government departments
Parking charges in city centre car parks centre is leading to illegal parking and parking in residential areas.

Public Transport

Lack of investment in rail and the under-use of bus lanes are adding to the traffic congestion problem

There are no perceived opportunities for switching more freight onto rail

Cycling/Walking

Condition of road surfaces poses a danger to cyclists/motorcyclists

Design of large vehicles makes them difficult to see cyclists/motorcyclists