Temporary Bus Lane Access for Taxis in Belfast Criticized as Insufficient

Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd announced that taxis would be permitted to utilize bus lanes within Belfast’s Linen Quarter. This temporary initiative, aimed at alleviating traffic congestion, is scheduled to commence at 06:00 GMT on Wednesday and will remain in effect throughout the Christmas period. Nevertheless, a prominent figure within the industry characterized this decision as “too little too late”. The co-ordinator of the Licensed Taxi Operators Association stated, “It looks very much like a half-hearted attempt to appease the industry, and in many ways it’ll cause more confusion by limiting the number of lanes.” Stephen Anton informed BBC’s Evening Extra programme, “Having seen the announcement today, we don’t think that’s going to help us as much as we would have liked.” Mr. Anton, who additionally serves as communications manager at fonaCAB, suggested that this measure might exacerbate traffic congestion within the city. He remarked, “Introducing this with less than 24 hours notice, one week before Christmas, could in some ways actually cause more problems than it solves.” He added, “Like any trial, there needs to be a bedding in period and doing it now with such little notice is bound to cause issues.” This development follows a meeting held on Monday between the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) and business leaders, where potential solutions to the city’s traffic issues were discussed. Mr. O’Dowd affirmed his commitment “to bringing forward measures which will help alleviate the traffic congestion in the city centre”. Earlier in the current month, the minister had advised that individuals driving into the city centre should “expect congestion,” following weeks of complaints from motorists regarding significant rush hour traffic. The provisional traffic regulation will permit Class A and Class C taxis, which encompass private-hire taxis and Ubers, to access designated lanes. Mr. O’Dowd had previously disclosed long-term intentions to implement a pilot program allowing taxis to utilize city centre bus lanes to mitigate traffic. He indicated that officials were progressing with the required legislative procedures for its implementation, with the consultation phase anticipated to commence “early in the new year”. He stated, “In the meantime, I have asked my officials to urgently introduce temporary traffic regulations, as an interim measure, to allow Class A and C taxis to use a number of bus lanes.” He further advised, “Belfast is a thriving city and I would encourage anyone planning to travel to the city centre, especially over the Christmas period, to plan their journey, use public transport if possible and if travelling by car factor in extra time for your journey.” Chris McCracken, managing director of the Linen Quarter Business Improvement District, expressed approval for this initiative as a short-term solution for the Christmas period. He cautioned, “However, it should be reviewed in the new year to ensure bus times are not adversely impacted.” He emphasized, “The long term solution for tackling congestion in Belfast City Centre remains better investment in public transport, including the North-South Glider, Belfast cycling network, the Gasworks walk-cycle bridge, and investment in new pavements, walking routes and public realm.” Inbound towards the city centre Outbound away from city centre This action comes amidst complaints regarding city centre congestion, attributed to roadworks on the Sydenham Bypass and at Grand Central Station, the city’s recently established public transport hub. Furthermore, concerns have emerged concerning Translink’s demolition of the Boyne Bridge, an integral component of the redevelopment project surrounding the new station. The bridge was closed in October, with excavation equipment commencing operations on November 29. Nevertheless, documentation reviewed by BBC’s The Nolan Show indicates that demolition work on the bridge commenced prior to the approval of a crucial planning condition. Correspondence from October reveals that the DfI’s Planning Department had informed Translink that work at Durham Street and the Boyne Bridge could not proceed until traffic mitigation measures were “fully implemented”. The DfI had deemed Translink’s planning application “unacceptable”. The letter specified that Translink had failed to detail traffic mitigation measures sufficient to guarantee that “the impact of the proposals [would] not adversely affect the road network”. Translink responded by asserting that it had fulfilled all conditions. In a follow-up letter dispatched to the DfI on November 26, Translink presented supplementary traffic mitigation measures. The Planning Department evaluated this information, characterized it as “robust,” and subsequently notified Translink on December 12 that the application for planning condition approval was “acceptable.” DUP MLA Edwin Poots, speaking on The Nolan Show, requested an urgent meeting with Mr. O’Dowd and Gordon Lyons, advocating for a halt to the work on the Boyne Bridge. He stated: “Essentially what we have here is a plan [to mitigate traffic impacts] that has come in after the work has started.” He continued: “So to all intents and purposes it would appear that this plan was submitted beyond the time whenever the bridge was closed.” He added: “But the second aspect of it is we now have this letter from the DfI saying that the plan is good and the plan stands up to scrutiny.” He concluded: “But the reality is something different.” He further observed: “The roads are so congested now that the public transport is delayed, people are telling me they are waiting for half an hour on buses and they are not coming.” A spokesperson for Translink commented: “Dismantlement of the bridge has commenced, which will see key elements of the bridge re-purposed in the new civic space, Saltwater Square.” The spokesperson added: “Translink continues to collaborate closely with relevant stakeholders to ensure alignment with each phase of the complex planning processes.” The spokesperson also indicated that the dismantling work is anticipated to conclude in January. A DfI spokesperson stated that the department was “aware of and considering the recent activity undertaken by Translink at the bridge”.