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Proposals to pedestrianise parts of Belfast city centre unveiled

Brendan HughesPolitical reporter, BBC News NI
Department for Infrastructure An artists impression of a street in Belfast city centre, it has people walking on footpaths and cars and buses going down a roadDepartment for Infrastructure
A city centre-wide 20mph speed limit will also be introduced under the proposals

Proposals to significantly pedestrianise parts of Belfast city centre have been unveiled.

A city centre-wide 20mph speed limit will also be introduced under the proposals.

The details are contained in the draft Eastern Transport Plan 2035, which is now the subject of a 12-week public consultation.

Stormont's Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins said the plans would help deliver a "modern transport system that better serves residents, businesses and visitors alike".

Under the proposals, the Bridge Street area beside the old Assembly Rooms will be transformed into a new public realm space.

Donegall Square West, which currently serves Metro buses, will be closed to traffic to become another new pedestrianised zone.

Royal Avenue and Donegall Place will return to two-way public transport traffic to accommodate the planned expansion of the Glider service to north and south Belfast.

The proposals involve "expanded pedestrian-priority streets and a new civic spine", the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) said.

They also include a "city centre-wide 20mph speed limit", an "expanded segregated cycling network", reduced through-traffic and parking management reforms.

A public consultation on the 270-page Eastern Transport Plan (ETP) runs until 25 January 2027.

The consultation covers the first phase of the ETP, which focuses on proposals for Belfast city centre and the wider metropolitan area.

It was published alongside another policy document called Transport Strategy 2035, which seeks to deliver a "cleaner, smarter and more inclusive transport system".

A woman with dark hair smiles at the camera, she is wearing a black coat and red top
Stormont's Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins said the plans would help deliver a "modern transport system"

In a statement Kimmins said that "at its heart, the ETP is about people".

"I am committed to building a transport network that is accessible and welcoming for people of all backgrounds, incomes and abilities, enabling them to access opportunities and reach their full potential," 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."