Pedestrianisation to happen later this year

Long-delayed plans to pedestrianise a cobbled street in a popular Belfast nightlife area will proceed later this year, Stormont’s infrastructure minister has said.

Hill Street is part of the city’s Cathedral Quarter and contains several bars and restaurants.

It was closed to vehicles for a trial period in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic, but extending the scheme has faced years of delays.

Liz Kimmins said an informal consultation with businesses had “concluded positively” and the changes are expected to be implemented in November.

“Following an informal consultation period during which concerns were raised by some businesses in the area around access to their premises, my officials agreed to undertake further discussions,” she said.

“Those discussions have now concluded positively and I can confirm that the necessary paperwork is currently being prepared to allow the experimental legislation to move forward.”