We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum... Read More »
We're aware that some users are experiencing technical issues which the team are working to resolve. See the Community Noticeboard for more info. Thank you for your patience.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
Rush hour one-way system on Belfast's Westlink
Options
Pretani
Posts: 2,279 Forumite
in N. Ireland
Proposal could see a rush hour one-way system on Belfast's Westlink
</EM>
Belfast's Westlink could soon be turned one-way during rush hour as part of radical new plans to be announced today.
The Belfast Telegraph can reveal that all six lanes of carriageway between Stockman's Lane and Divis Street would operate citywards during the morning rush hour and country-bound in the evening in a bid to reduce congestion.
Roads Minister Conor Murphy officially opened a £104m upgrade of the M1/Westlink only last month. But officials at the Department for Regional Department are privately disappointed that the scheme, which took three years to complete, has so far failed to eliminate the rush hour gridlock.
The plans, which are due to be revealed at a press conference in Belfast later today, would involve the six-lane carriageway being turned city-bound between 7.30am and 9.30am and countrywards from 4.30pm to 6.30pm Monday to Friday.
The Westlink northbound from Divis Street to York Street would be unaffected by the proposals.
The scheme, which would mean lengthy diversions for traffic heading against the flow, is initially intended to run for a 12-week trial period. But it is already expected to meet stiff opposition from residents of the Malone and Lisburn roads, who will bear the brunt of the increased traffic-flow.
The Westlink upgrade was one of the most ambitious civil engineering projects ever undertaken in Northern Ireland and was intended to ensure shorter and more reliable journey times from Belfast's western approaches.
However, the project — which required the building of two underpasses and the widening of the M1 between Stockman's Lane and Divis Street — has done little to alleviate the chronic congestion which has dogged the Westlink since it opened in March 1983.
Any decision would require Ministerial |approval before it could go ahead.
</EM>
Belfast's Westlink could soon be turned one-way during rush hour as part of radical new plans to be announced today.
The Belfast Telegraph can reveal that all six lanes of carriageway between Stockman's Lane and Divis Street would operate citywards during the morning rush hour and country-bound in the evening in a bid to reduce congestion.
Roads Minister Conor Murphy officially opened a £104m upgrade of the M1/Westlink only last month. But officials at the Department for Regional Department are privately disappointed that the scheme, which took three years to complete, has so far failed to eliminate the rush hour gridlock.
The plans, which are due to be revealed at a press conference in Belfast later today, would involve the six-lane carriageway being turned city-bound between 7.30am and 9.30am and countrywards from 4.30pm to 6.30pm Monday to Friday.
The Westlink northbound from Divis Street to York Street would be unaffected by the proposals.
The scheme, which would mean lengthy diversions for traffic heading against the flow, is initially intended to run for a 12-week trial period. But it is already expected to meet stiff opposition from residents of the Malone and Lisburn roads, who will bear the brunt of the increased traffic-flow.
The Westlink upgrade was one of the most ambitious civil engineering projects ever undertaken in Northern Ireland and was intended to ensure shorter and more reliable journey times from Belfast's western approaches.
However, the project — which required the building of two underpasses and the widening of the M1 between Stockman's Lane and Divis Street — has done little to alleviate the chronic congestion which has dogged the Westlink since it opened in March 1983.
Any decision would require Ministerial |approval before it could go ahead.
0
Comments
-
What date is it?0
-
It won't be approved for a while yet BigAl. what are they going to do with the road signs, make the digital?0
-
Even better idea - change the traffic direction at random, with no notice!. That'd keep everyone on their toes!0
-
-
flogthedog wrote: »I'm pretty sure BigAl meant you to check today's date!
It's the 4/01/08 to us Americans0 -
On any date, this would indeed be a very stupid idea - but it wouldn't be the most stupid suggestion to ever come from a NI government department!0
-
Bloody stupid idea0
-
Methinks this is a jolly jape on April Fool's day.....................I certainly hope it is!Norn Iron Club Member No. 252 :beer:0
-
-
flogthedog wrote: »I'm pretty sure BigAl meant you to check today's date!
Exactly what I meant!0
This discussion has been closed.
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply
Categories
- All Categories
- 351K Banking & Borrowing
- 253.1K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 453.6K Spending & Discounts
- 244K Work, Benefits & Business
- 598.8K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 176.9K Life & Family
- 257.3K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
- 37.6K Read-Only Boards