Agenda item

            The Chairperson introduced Mr. D. McFarlane, Eastern Divisional Roads Manager, Mr. M. McKendry, Belfast North Section Engineer, Mr. D. Williams, Belfast South Section Engineer, and Mr. C. McLaughlin, to the Committee and they were admitted to the meeting.

 

            Mr. McFarlane provided a brief overview of the 2022/23 Autumn Report on the work of the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) Roads across the Belfast City Council area which had been submitted in advance of the Committee for consideration. 

 

            He advised that the report contained details of works already completed across the Council area during the year 2022/23 as well as setting out initial proposals for schemes to be undertaken in the year 2022/23.

 

            He informed the Committee that, in the absence of an Executive, the Department of Finance (DoF) had provided the Department with contingency planning envelopes, for both Resource and Capital, to assist with making decisions on the allocation of resources until a budget was established. The planning envelope provided an allocation for capital structural maintenance activities in 2022/23, which included resurfacing.

 

            In relation to contracting resources, he advised that, following the legal challenges to the award of asphalt resurfacing contracts in 2021, regrettably the Belfast City Council area had been without a replacement resurfacing contract since November 2021. However, the Department had developed a new interim procurement strategy for resurfacing contracts and a new contract for the Belfast North area had recently been awarded. It was anticipated that a new contract for the Belfast South area would be awarded in early 2023. As a consequence, there would be a delay commencing the 2022/23 resurfacing programmes in the Belfast area.

 

            He pointed out that the Department was continuing with a Limited Service policy for routine maintenance activities such as defect repair and gully emptying, which allowed the Department to repair defects greater than 50mm on all roads, including low trafficked rural roads and on high trafficked roads, defects greater than 20mm would also be repaired. The Department would aim to cut all roadside verges and sightline grass at least twice between April and October with sightlines at bends and junctions being cut more frequently as required to ensure public safety was not compromised. He also advised that a full street lighting repair service would continue during 2022/23.

 

            He provided the Committee with updates on the main strategic transportation schemes for the city, together with an overview of the DfI Roads Programme of Works for 2022/23 for those projects and schemes that had been completed and were in progress, which included updates on minor works, maintenance of structures and inspections. He also summarised the updates to network traffic and street lighting, collision remedial schemes, traffic schemes and pedestrian measures and resident’s parking schemes.

 

            In advance of the meeting, the representatives had been provided with issues which the Committee had previously raised. Mr. McFarlane provided an update on the following matters:

 

            Junctions (improvement works, plans and progress)

 

•        Clifton Street / North Queens Street – DfC led scheme. DfI Roads would consider traffic impacts which would influence design;

•        Frederick Street / York Street – interim scheme in delivery phase following opening of Ulster University, Junctions Working Group involved in choice of final layout which was compatible with York Street Interchange, Placemaking and Active Travel Review. AECOM was bringing this to Roads ‘A Group’; and

•        Peter’s Hill – traffic impacts were being modelled and discussed. Junction improvements would be delivered by DfC in conjunction with their public realm scheme.

 

Belfast Metropolitan Transport Plan 2035 (progress updates, timelines)

 

•        Being prepared by the Department in collaboration with the five local councils within the Belfast Metropolitan Urban Area (BMUA),  in line with respective councils’ Local Development Plan (LDP), Local Policies Plan (LPP) timescales;

•        Envisaged that the Greater Belfast Area would form the first iteration and would be delivered in line with Belfast City Council’s LDP LPP;

•        Transport Planning and Modelling Unit (TPMU) continued to engage with the Council;

•        TPMU was planning to arrange a meeting before Christmas with the council’s LDP team to provide an update on progress; and

•        The next stage - formal launch of the BMTP in 2023.

 

            Belfast Rapid Transport Phase 2 (progress  updates, timelines)

 

•        The public consultation report for the scheme was published on the 21st October, 2022;

•        Preferred routes would be Antrim Road in the North, Ormeau Road and Saintfield Road in the South;

•        Extension to the existing G2 from to QUB and the City Hospital;

•        The North and South routes would seek to extend to Glengormley and Carryduff;

•        BRT2 connecting to the north through the city centre was yet to be confirmed – as it would need to align with the Bolder Vision and proposals around the Civic Spine; and

•        Earliest Go-Live date was September 2027, dependent on funding.

 

            York Street Interchange

 

•        Placemaking and Active Travel Review (PATR) was published on 11th October, 2022 and recommended that three of the options considered in it were further developed;

•        Further engagement with stakeholders, including Belfast City Council and Ulster University and local residents’ groups.

•        Scheduled to conclude early in 2023;

•        On 31st October, 2022 the Permanent Secretary met an all-party delegation from the Council and Ulster University to discuss works in the vicinity of the new campus, AECOM gave a presentation on the outcome of the YSI - Placemaking and Active Travel Review report. This could be delivered to the full Council at a later date for information purposes.

 

            York Street Controlled Zone

 

•        Experimental Order was advertised on 14th September and closed 6th October, 2022;

•        Proposal was to restrict vehicular traffic between Great Patrick Street and Donegal Street except for busses, cyclists and blue badge holders;

•        19 responses to the consultation were received by the Department - 14 objected to the scheme, 3 supported the scheme, 1 was neither for or against and 1 was received outside the consultation period;

•        Policy required that the Department considered these representations and replied in detail to the individuals concerned regarding the issues raised; and

•        Should any objection remain after this stage, a submission would be made to Transport and Legislation Branch for direction on the way forward.

 

            Delivery and Implementation of the Belfast Cycle Network

 

•        The Belfast Cycling Network Delivery Plan (2022-2031) sets out a blueprint for the development and operation of the cycling infrastructure in the city for the next ten years.The Plan highlighted those schemes that could be deliverable in the short term – the medium term – and the long term;

•        The timescale for delivery of each project would be refined as each project was designed, consulted upon and constructed.Progress would also be dependent on the level of annual funding available for active travel;

•        DfI Roads was currently progressing the Short Term (2022-25) schemes identified within the plan.There were 16 short-term schemes (for delivery between 2022-25). DfI Roads were working with key partners including Belfast City Council, Department for Communities, Belfast Harbour, PSNI, Community Groups etc; and

•        The Department was currently considering its approach to the delivery of the schemes in the Belfast Cycling Network to allow a greater focus on scheme delivery.There were a number of stakeholders involved, most importantly members of the public and it would take a careful approach to explain the benefits the cycle network to them. Some would consider that any measures would have a detrimental impact on their local area or access to existing provision, and this needs to be considered and consulted on within the design process.

 

•        Lagan Pedesterian and Cycle Bridge - a key element of the walking and cycling network to connect Belfast city centre with the south and east of the city and the Connswater Community Greenway, to improve access to Ormeau Park for recreational use. Planned opening in 2025 with a current estimate for the project of £12.9m

 

            Pavement Orders and Footpath Parking

 

•        The Footways (Prohibition of Waiting) Order (Northern Ireland) 2015 - proposal to amend to prohibit vehicles waiting on a footway adjacent to a bus stand, on a footway adjacent to the limits of any mandatory cycle lane or school keep clear, however needed Ministerial approval.

 

            During discussion, Mr. McFarlane answered a range of questions in relation to the residents parking schemes, concerns over safety and traffic calming measures, the support for pedestrianisation of the city centre, and the consultation process of cycle routes.

 

            A number of Members stressed the inability to contact DfI Roads staff to obtain updates on urgent remedial works and the importance of obtaining direct phone numbers for key staff that could provide such updates. Mr McFarlane advised that this would be explored and encouraged Councillors to avail of the online fault reporting system on NI Direct, or to contact the department directly via the eastern secretariat email address.

 

            In relation to the BRT North South Glider Route, one Member raised the importance of residents parking schemes along the route before the Glider Route commenced. Mr. McFarlane explained the process further and stated that he would send the comment to the Belfast Rapid Transport Team for perusal.

 

            During further discussion, regarding the Cycling Strategy for the City and its targets, Members expressed their concern at the lack of progress on the Bicycle Network and other active travel measures. Mr. McFarlane explained the resource issues and highlighted that the new Director’s remit would help to expedite the process and network further. 

 

            The Members drew the attention of the officers from DfI Roads to a number of additional matters, which Mr. McFarlane advised would be investigated and a further update submitted to the Committee in due course:

 

·        In relation to the Temporary Bollards on the Donegall Road – Safety Concerns for residents regarding access - update on when this would be addressed;

·        An update on the residents parking scheme review and what, if any, have/ would be delivered across the City;

·        The need for residents parking scheme’s along the proposed new Glider Route;

·        The need to review College Park Residents Parking Scheme;

·        Lack of communication and the need for Members to have up to date, direct contact details for the DfI Roads Team so that issues could be resolved in a timely manner;

·        An update on the delivery of Orpen Park /  Porter Park Traffic Calming Scheme – was there a plan in place for what this would be and a timeline for implementation;

·        Update on resurfacing of Roads and Pathways in Belvoir – Grays Park Avenue, Grays Park Gardens and Grays Park Drive;

·        Cycle Network Development Plan - Resources and Budget Update and data on what had been implemented in the last two years;

·        Learnings from Limestone/Cavehill proposed cycle lane consultation process;

·        Potholes and resurfacing in Lagmore Glen/Twinbrook area;

·        Update on Hill Street Pedestrianisation; and

·        Update on the expected delivery of 38 disabled Parking Bays which had been approved.

 

            After discussion, the Chairperson thanked the representatives for their attendance and they retired from the meeting.

 

            The Committee noted the information which had been provided and that, where relevant, DfI Roads would provide further information on the issues raised.