Glengormley Extension Raises Traffic Concerns
Plans to extend Belfast's Glider bus service to Glengormley are projected to cause "significant traffic congestion," according to documents obtained by NI. These papers also contradict Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins' assertion that "there has been no delay" in the project to expand the Glider to north and south Belfast.
Kimmins has expressed hope that a "full extension" of the Glider service could be completed by 2033, although previous estimates have ranged from 2027 to 2030. The Department for Infrastructure (DfI) stated the minister remains "committed" to the project, with the initial phase "on target for completion by 2030."
The Glider service uses a fleet of purple articulated buses designed to resemble trams. It was launched in 2018, operating between east and west Belfast. The Belfast Rapid Transit 2 (BRT2) project aims to extend the service to the northern and southern parts of the city. The total estimated cost is £124.5 million, but only £48 million has been secured to date.
Glengormley Plans and Feasibility Issues
In 2022, the preferred routes for the BRT2 project were announced: along the Antrim Road in the north and the Ormeau and Saintfield roads in the south. It was also decided that the routes should extend to Glengormley in the north and Carryduff in the south.
However, last year Minister Kimmins paused the extension plans, citing that they were "not economically viable" at this time. Despite this, she has maintained that Glengormley and Carryduff extensions remain under consideration and would be "kept under review." She told assembly members in March,
"It's only when these extensions are completed that BRT2 will be fully delivered."
An internal briefing paper from the DfI's major projects director dated November 2024 provided further rationale for withdrawing the Glengormley plan.
"The extension into Glengormley will create significant traffic congestion which would impact negatively on the town centre and harm the reliability of any Glider service,"it stated.
A feasibility study concluded that the Glengormley extension was "not recommended," highlighting congestion concerns at the junction of the Antrim, Hightown, and Ballyclare roads. The study warned of a "significantly negative impact on BRT2 service reliability and punctuality as well as impacting general traffic."
Another document suggested,
"The town would be better served by a limited stop/express bus service at peak times."
These documents were obtained through Freedom of Information requests. Wesley Johnston, a researcher and roads expert, told BBC's The View programme that there were "a practicality issue and an affordability issue coming into play at the same time."
Glider Project Timetable and Delays
In March, Minister Kimmins told the Northern Ireland Assembly that "there has been no delay" to the north-south Glider project. This statement followed concerns from members of the legislative assembly (MLAs) after Kimmins responded to a written question indicating that BRT2 "could be completed by 2033."
A year earlier, Kimmins had informed MLAs that the north-south Glider "could become operational by 2030" and that an "initial phase could be delivered by 2027." In March, she clarified to the assembly that there had been a "misinterpretation" of the timeline.
She explained that the 2030 timescale referred only to one part of the project, specifically an extension of the G2 service to Queen's University and the City Hospital. The 2033 date, she added, referred to the full delivery of BRT2, including the Glengormley and Carryduff extensions.
However, DfI documents have indicated earlier timelines over the years. In 2022, a DfI press release stated that BRT2 "could become operational in autumn 2027." An online document from August 2023 suggested the north-south Glider could be operational by autumn 2028. Notably, the content was revised in June 2023, removing the 2028 reference and instead stating DfI hoped to "deliver the first phase of these works by 2030."
Competing Priorities and Political Perspectives
Wesley Johnston commented,
"I don't think it's accurate to say there has been no delay. It's definitely been pushed several years into the future compared to what it was."
He added,
"The minister will be keen to paint the scheme in a positive light, but in fairness to her, I think money is the issue - it's not a lack of political will."
Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) MLA Peter Martin, chair of the assembly's infrastructure committee, noted that DfI is managing several "competing targets and priorities," including the A5 road project and wastewater infrastructure challenges. He suggested that BRT2 "could well be on the backburner."
Martin stated,
"It is for the minister to set out her priorities. I don't think it's acceptable that she says it's all going to be okay when it's patently clear it's not going to all be okay."
Green Party councillor Áine Groogan highlighted the benefits of the north-south Glider, saying it would have "definitely a positive impact" on regenerating the city centre and "improving connectivity." She noted the area has suffered dereliction due to "land banking" by developers.
Groogan also mentioned,
"There is a bit of conflict with efforts to pedestrianise the city centre and making it a place that people actually spend time in."
Ciaran Smyth, owner of the Phoenix Bar in north Belfast, described BRT2 as a "golden opportunity," adding,
"Politically and socially and business-wise it makes absolute sense to fire away with it."
Department for Infrastructure's Position
In a statement, DfI said,
"The minister is committed to the delivery of the full Belfast Rapid Transit project to extend the Glider network into north and south Belfast."
A spokesperson added that funding secured so far through the Belfast Region City Deal and departmental funds would "facilitate the commencement of a phased delivery."
They stated,
"Phase One is progressing at pace and is on target for completion by 2030."
DfI confirmed that Gliders are "scheduled to be on the road in the south of the city" on the Queen's University and City Hospital route by 2030. Additionally, a new "park and ride" facility on O'Neill Road in the north is also on track to be built by then.
