Agenda and minutes

The Committee was reminded that, at its meeting on 19th January, it had agreed to hold a special meeting to receive a presentation from representatives of the Roads Service in respect of its Annual Autumn Progress Report.  It was reported that Mr. B. Ellison, Deputy Divisional Roads Manager, together with Mr. B. O’Neill, Section Engineer, and Mr. G. McKibbin, Section Engineer, were in attendance and they were admitted to the meeting and welcomed by the Chairman (Councillor L. Patterson).

            Mr. Ellison outlined the principal aspects of the Roads Service’s Programme of Works for 2012 and indicated that the proposal to upgrade the Westlink/York Street junction was being considered as part of the new Investment Strategy for Northern Ireland, the timescale for the construction of which would be dependent upon the successful completion of the necessary statutory procedures, an economic appraisal and the provision of funding through the normal budgetary processes.  He summarised a range of issues regarding ongoing bridge inspection work; the continuing work which was being undertaken in relation to the Belfast on the Move Scheme and the intention to proceed with the reduction of car lanes in Wellington Place; street lighting upgrading; network maintenance activity; drainage schemes; and winter service provision. 

            During discussion, Members drew the attention of the officers from the Roads Service to several matters, a number of which are set out hereunder:

·         various concerns in relation to the Belfast on the Move Scheme, in particular the need for careful consideration regarding future roadworks and the resultant impact thereof on the reduction of traffic lanes; the merging of bus lanes into normal traffic lanes; the intention to proceed with the planned reduction of Wellington Place to a single lane for cars; the accuracy of the figures quoted by the Roads Service with regard to the number of vehicles using May Street as through traffic travelling to other areas of the City; the excessive number of traffic lights within the City centre; the use of car lanes by buses; the sequencing of traffic lights at the Howard Street/Bedford Street junction; difficulties experienced by drivers exiting the rear of the City Hall; the Oxford Street bus lane being used as a drop off point for access to the Courts; the question of the necessity of the lay-by at the Victoria Street entrance to the Police Service of Northern Ireland station; the timing of the introduction of the Scheme; and the need for adequate consultation with the Council in advance of the preparation of plans in relation to future major road developments;

·         the possibility of the introduction of pedestrian crossings at the Woodvale Road shops and the resultant impact on parking within the area, together with the need to look at the uneven condition of the footpaths along the Shankill Road;

·         a request to look at the possibility of the greater use of Cooper Way by through traffic;

·         a query regarding the introduction of traffic calming measures in the Ainsworth area;

·         the renewal of the existing street  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.