Consultation due on Belfast city centre pedestrianisation expansion

Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins has said she will bring forward a consultation which will include proposals for the expansion of pedestrianisation in Belfast city centre.

Kimmins highlighted the recent success of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, the all-Ireland Fleadh, when dozens of streets were closed to traffic.

She said this “clearly demonstrated the benefits of pedestrianisation and has led for calls for a more permanent solution”.

Kimmins said it was her ambition “to reshape our town and city centres to put people first, creating more attractive, accessible, and vibrant places while reducing car dependency and encouraging sustainable travel choices”.

“My department has already been working diligently behind the scenes to prepare a new transport plan for the Belfast area,” she added.

“In the next few weeks, I will bring forward a consultation which includes proposals for the expansion of pedestrianisation in Belfast city centre.

“I want to hear everyone’s views on these proposals to ensure that everything we do is accessible for all.”

The pedestrianisation debate has long pre-dated the Fleadh, but calls for it to be introduced on a bigger scale have ramped up in the last week.

Representatives from the Alliance Party have written to Belfast City Council and other bodies calling for a “comprehensive review of pedestrianisation” in the city centre.

However, disability campaign groups, such as Disabled People Against Cuts Northern Ireland (DPAC NI), said pedestrianisation could exclude many disabled people from accessing the city.

DPAC NI spokesperson Dermot Devlin said that “many disabled people can only walk or wheel short distances”.