South 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

Congestion was one of the main issues arising from the group discussion. It was stated that there are three key routes going through area drawing commuters from south of the metropolitan area and beyond. Attendees were very concerned about the impact that increasing congestion was having on the quality of life of people living in the area. A perceived shortfall in public transport provision and continuing greenfield residential development means the problem will worsen.

To relieve pressure of congestion in the area, investment in public transport systems is required, complemented by initiatives such as the development of Park and Ride and appropriate road design and improvement to minimise bottlenecks.

Road Traffic Congestion

Pinch Points

Ormeau Road
Lisburn Road
Malone Road
Stranmillis
Tates Avenue

Causes of Congestion

South Belfast consists of key radial routes to and from Belfast city centre drawing traffic from large area

Land use policy of continuing residential development to the south of the area such as at Carryduff and the location of commercial development such as the Gasworks in area is generating traffic on roads whose capacities are not being increased;

New developments, lack of car parking space and resulting on-street parking is reducing road space further

Lack of parking for retail on Lisburn Road leading to parking in lanes

School traffic

Badly designed entrances/exits on main roads blocks traffic– for example, the Primrose Hill development adjoining Springfield Road

Bad road design, for example the situation of a bus lane on a road where the second lane has a series of right turns

School times coincide with hospital visiting times in area

Lack of co-ordination of road works

Congestion Impact

Damage by lorries to dropped kerbs at junctions
Rat running
Residential roads in area (Markets and Lower Ormeau) used as informal park and ride
Perceived increase in accidents due to traffic volumes
Growing health implications of traffic
Severance caused by heavy traffic threatens community identity
Access for emergency vehicles is limited by parking and congestion

Other Road Issues

Development land in area that could be used for integrated transport schemes is being allocated to other uses

Proposed Danesfort shopping centre is likely to impact on road network

Public Transport

Public transport is not offering a sufficiently reliable and frequent alternative to the car. For example only 2 buses go from Sandy Row to Donegall Road in the evening. E.g. Donegall Road service (90) – only 2 buses in the evening

Bus system only offer radial services

Bad parking pushes buses in to the middle of road

School children can wait 40 minutes for a bus in area

Bus lanes do not seem to be fully used – thus just reducing road space rather than increasing public transport capacity

Concern over environmental impact on children

Cycling/Walking

Growth in traffic is perceived to be increasing the incidence of accidents involving pedestrians. There is concern that safety measures are only introduced after a fatality

Cycle lanes discontinued at traffic lights

Perception that existing cycle lanes are not being fully utilised

Insufficient traffic calming

Drainage on Saintfield Road is poor and causes problems for pedestrians