Agenda item

The Committee considered the following Council response to the Department for Regional Development’s consultation regarding the proposed new bridge over the River Lagan between the Ormeau Embankment and the Gasworks Estate:

“Council Response

Belfast City Council welcomes the opportunity to comment on the proposed pedestrian and cycle bridge over the River Lagan, Belfast. The Council has a keen interest in this proposal due to its proximity to the Ozone Leisure Centre and Ormeau Park. Whilst the Council is broadly supportive of the proposed development to improve connectivity of the city to surrounding neighbourhoods it is essential to consider any environmental issues arising from the proposed pedestrian and cycle bridge.  It should be noted that the bridge proposal will be located on DSD land at the east and west bank of the river. It is anticipated that this land will be transferred to council ownership as part of the DSD asset transfer in April 2016.  The Council will engage with DSD and DRD regarding detailed design and management of these areas.

In the response below some strategic context is outlined before specific comments in relation to the proposal under consideration.

Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan

Within BMAP two new pedestrian/cycle bridge crossings are proposed to serve key activity spines between the east and west sides of the River Lagan. These are proposed to improve the connection between the extension of existing riverside walkways and the more strategic sections of the pedestrian network, whilst facilitating better access to and from the City Centre. The Council welcomed the proposed pedestrian/cycle bridge crossing Gasworks to Ormeau Embankment (Proposal CC 023/02) in relation to improving the connections and accessibility of the city centre.

Belfast City Masterplan

Belfast City Masterplan sets out the strategic objective for an Accessible and Connected City. The masterplan aims to deliver a placemaking solution for the Shaftesbury Link (City Centre Ring Southern Section) which contains the potential for a pedestrian bridge from the Gasworks to Ormeau Park in order to link the residential neighbourhoods to Ormeau Park.

Belfast City Council City Centre Regeneration Strategy and Investment Plan

The draft Belfast City Centre Regeneration Strategy and Investment Plan identified the policy objectives to “Create a green, walkable, cyclable centre” and “Connect to the city around”. These are two of the eight policies outlined in the draft plan.

The objective to “Create a green, walkable, cyclable centre” is to “reduce the area of asphalt and increase green space in the city centre through provision of new open spaces, a comprehensive streetscaping programme and development of the Lagan corridor as a recreational spine.”

The objective to “Connect to the city around” aims to “reduce barriers between the city centre and the communities that surround it by connecting to activity in adjacent neighbourhoods, developing two new pedestrian bridges over the River Lagan and reducing road widths, improving pedestrian crossings, streetscaping key corridors and improving the built form relationship at the edge of the centre.” 

Belfast City Council welcomes the proposed development of a pedestrian and cycle bridge over the River Lagan as this will provide increased accessibility to the Ozone Leisure Centre and Ormeau Park. Increased usage of these facilities will enable more people to get more active, more often and help us achieve better health outcomes for the City and local neighbourhoods. The Council would like accessibility to the park and leisure centre to be considered during the design and construction phase so that there is no negative impact on the public’s ability to use these facilities.  

From a waste management perspective, the Council would encourage the use of sustainable/recycled material where reasonable practical within the bridge construction. We would also emphasise the importance of managing any waste generated throughout the whole phase (e.g. excavation and construction / building works) appropriately, whilst adhering to all legal requirements (such as Duty of Care). We would encourage the recycling and minimisation of any waste generated on site by the construction workforce (e.g.  food scraps, paper, cardboard, plastic and cans). Also, promotion of the waste hierarchy with prevention and reduction of waste as a priority should be considered throughout the whole project.

When consulting on the environmental and biodiversity impacts of the construction and use of the proposed pedestrian and cycle bridge Belfast City Council would request clarification that the Northern Ireland Environment Agency has been consulted as part of this process.

Belfast City Council Environmental Protection Unit had been previously consulted by the DoE at the ‘preapplication stage’ for the proposed pedestrian/cycle bridge (Z/2014/1060/PREAPP).

This Unit’s correspondence with Planning, date 3^rd Nov 2014 is attached. It refers to two reports which were submitted at preapplication stage, both conducted by Amey:

Phase I Land Contamination Report Proposed River Lagan  Footbridge Amey PLC” dated September 2014 and referenced CO0401210.

Study of Options Environmental Report, Lagan Footbridge, Belfast Road Service” dated August 2014 and referenced CO401123/SOER/v1

In the letter we requested that a Phase II contaminated land risk assessment is submitted which involves an intrusive site investigation of underlying soils/water and possible gas. The Amey Phase I report had concluded that a Phase II was conducted.

In relation to noise impacts from construction works, the August 2014 Amey report refers to noise effects which will be temporary and of short duration. The report highlights the fact that piling operations will affect receptors in the vicinity. What was not referred to in the EPU letter was BCC’s construction Advice Notes which gives advice/guidelines to contractors re noise from construction works including piling, noise and vibration. BCC construction advice notes are attached for reference.”

After discussion, the Committee endorsed the response, subject to it being amended to reflect that the Council was of the view that further consultation was required with local residents on their concerns that the bridge could potentially create an additional flashpoint for between youths in south and east Belfast.