21st October 2024
Martina Connolly, CEO of Belfast ONE Business Improvement District, has called on Translink, the Department for Infrastructure (DFI), and the PSNI to implement further temporary measures to mitigate the severe traffic gridlock currently affecting Belfast.
The call for these additional measures comes a week after the announcement which permitted taxis in bus lanes, which has had little impact on the problem.
Belfast ONE, established in 2016, is the largest Business Improvement District in the city, representing 700 member organizations, including retailers, hospitality venues such as bars and restaurants, and professional services operating throughout the City Centre. Martina’s comments follow her written request for an urgent meeting with DFI Minister John O’Dowd MLA to discuss immediate solutions to the worsening traffic situation.
“The current traffic gridlock in Belfast is unprecedented, posing a significant threat to retailers as we approach the critical Christmas shopping period,” Martina said. “Travel across the city, for both residents and visitors, now takes exponentially longer than it did just months ago, and additional steps must be taken urgently to prevent further disruption.
“While last week’s announcement that some bus lanes would be available for some taxis was welcome, it has had little or no impact on the issue, with driver misery continuing,” she added.
Martina outlined several proposals that Belfast ONE is urging the DFI, Translink and the PSNI to consider, aimed at easing congestion between now and January 2025 while allowing vital infrastructure improvements to continue:
- Temporary Taxi Access to all Bus Lanes – Allow all taxis to use bus lanes throughout the day across all areas experiencing congestion, which would reduce congestion and improve travel times for commuters and customers alike.
- Increase Bus Services – Enhance the frequency of bus services across Belfast in the afternoon and evening, giving commuters and shoppers more flexibility while alleviating peak rush hour traffic between 4 pm and 7 pm.
- Pause Non-Essential Works – Implement a temporary moratorium on non-critical road works until Q1 2025, helping businesses avoid further disruptions during the crucial holiday period.
- Enforce Traffic Rules at Key Junctions – Strengthen enforcement of Yellow Box junctions and involve the PSNI in managing major traffic choke points to improve flow across the city.
“We must strike a balance between preserving the long-term improvements that projects like new bus lanes bring, while also acknowledging that the simultaneous scheduling of multiple roadworks has caused widespread disruption,” Martina continued.
“Anecdotal evidence already suggests that some people are being deterred from visiting the city, and we must act swiftly to prevent a trickle of people avoiding Belfast from turning into a flood.”
ENDS
Contact:
Carl Whyte/Sibley Berty
MW Advocate
T: 02890 267072/07841970678
