Transport plan proposes new pedestrianisation across Belfast city centre

A draft transport plan is proposing new areas of pedestrianisation across Belfast city centre.

The Eastern Transport Plan 2035 sets out a vision which includes a two-way Glider route along Donegall Place and Royal Avenue as well as a city centre-wide 20mph speed limit and an expanded segregated cycling network.

It proposes a new public realm space in the Bridge Street area and a pedestrianised zone on Donegall Square West among other measures.

Stormont Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins hailed the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2026 for opening people’s eyes to “what we could have”.

She said no decisions have yet been taken, and encouraged the public to read the plan and give their views to feed into the process.

A Department for Infrastructure official also clarified that pedestrianisation did not mean no vehicle access, but no general traffic.

The Transport Strategy 2035 was published on Monday, as well as the launch of the consultation of the ETP 2035.

The strategy is aimed to deliver a “cleaner, smarter and more inclusive transport system by 2035”.

The ETP seeks to build upon the strategy and will be the first of a number of plans for different geographic areas in Northern Ireland.

It proposes an expansion of pedestrian-priority streets, a city centre-wide 20mph speed limit, new Glider routes, simplification of bus routing and additional bus priority measures, expanded segregated cycling network and reducing through-traffic and parking management reforms.

Ms Kimmins described “two significant milestones” with the strategy and ETP which she described as “long awaited by the local business community”.

At a launch event at 2 Royal Avenue, Ms Kimmins said it aims to address transport challenges with population growth, increased travel demand, congestion, climate commitments and emergent travel patterns.

“Simply trying to accommodate more traffic on the existing road network is not a sustainable solution, we need a different approach and the ETP and the Transport Strategy set (that) out clearly,” she said.

“It sets out our vision for a more sustainable, safe, accessible, inclusive and effective transport network which meets the needs of both urban and rural communities while supporting economic growth across the region.

“Shaped by public engagement, it recognises that transport is about people and the opportunities it provides.

“As we respond to climate change, technological advances and changing lifestyles, a modern, efficient and sustainable transport system will be essential to future prosperity.”

Ms Kimmins said the ETP is the beginning of the journey to deliver that vision, with proposals for Belfast City and the wider Metropolitan area.

“The ETP reflects our commitment to regional balance, ensuring that communities in both urban and rural areas benefit from improved access to employment, services and opportunities across the wider Metropolitan area,” she said.

“This draft plan is an important first step in transforming how people move around the region, and public feedback will play a vital role in shaping its future.

“I encourage everyone to share their views and engage with the consultation process so that, together, we can create a better transport system for all.”

However Green Party NI leader Mal O’Hara said Belfast “deserves a more ambitious transport plan”.

“There are some good proposals in the plan, and it rightly recognises that we need to make a break from the congested car commute that is forced on so many people through the lack of an effective transport infrastructure,” he said.

“However the overall ambition falls well short of what Belfast needs, particularly after the success of the Fleadh which showed us what our city centre could look like when we put people before private cars.

“We should be building on that success, not settling for incremental change.

“After the Fleadh, other politicians from the minister’s party promised this transport plan would include a plan to pedestrianise the city.

“It is clearly not that.

“I would encourage those who live, work or travel to and from Belfast to have their say as part of this consultation and to tell the Sinn Féin minister that Belfast deserves much better.

“There is an opportunity to make Belfast a cleaner, healthier, greener city that works for everyone.”

The consultation is open until January 25, accessible at https://www.infrastructure-ni.gov.uk/consultations/public-engagement-eastern-transport-plan-etp-2035-belfast-city-centre-and-belfast-metropolitan-area