Traffic Alert Issued for Belfast Ahead of UEFA Football Match During Rush Hour

Drivers have received a warning about potential traffic disruptions in Belfast this Thursday, attributed to a procession involving hundreds of Swiss football fans. Up to 2,000 supporters of St Gallen are anticipated in the city for a UEFA Conference League fixture at Windsor Park against Larne Football Club. They submitted an application to the Parades Commission to march from Shaftesbury Square to the stadium at 17:30 GMT. This parade is scheduled to take place during the evening rush-hour, in an area of the city that has experienced significant traffic congestion in recent weeks. Since the inauguration of the new transport hub, Grand Central Station, in September, motorists have reported considerable delays. Consequently, some take-away delivery drivers have ceased accepting orders between 16:00 and 19:00 GMT on weekdays. Details published on the Parades Commission website indicate a parade with a maximum of 2,000 participants. The designated route encompasses Bradbury Place, Shaftesbury Square, Donegall Road, and Donegall Avenue, concluding at 19:00. Last year, football enthusiasts from Denmark similarly sought authorization to parade to Windsor Park. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) stated that its officers anticipate more than 5,000 spectators at Thursday’s game. A PSNI spokesperson advised: “Supporters, commuters and shoppers are advised to plan their journey in advance, ensuring they leave sufficient travel time as congestion is likely in the area.” The spokesperson further noted: “A build-up of traffic is to be expected in the Shaftesbury Square, Lisburn Road and Donegall Road areas of south Belfast as well as the M1 and Boucher Road areas both before and after the game.” The match is scheduled to commence at 20:00 GMT. While officially designated as a Larne home-game, their Inver Park ground fails to satisfy the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) criteria for hosting Conference League matches. The PSNI spokesperson added: “We hope that the match is enjoyed by all and would remind those attending to behave in a manner befitting the reputation of their teams.” St Gallen, hailing from eastern Switzerland, have participated in the Swiss Super League for the past decade. Like Larne, they have yet to secure a victory in their UEFA league fixtures this season. Separately, the Belfast Road in Comber remains impassable between Glen Link and Ballyrainey Road following a collision, and police advise drivers to find an alternative route for their journey. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.