Car Ban Proposals Outside Ulster University Campus Withdrawn
Plans to prohibit cars from a busy section of York Street outside Ulster University's Belfast campus have been abandoned.
The original proposal aimed to restrict all vehicles except buses, bicycles, and those with blue badges from using the stretch of York Street between Donegall Street and Great Patrick Street.
Student leaders have voiced disappointment with the decision, emphasizing that
"safety is a real concern"due to the high volume of traffic in the area.
The Department for Infrastructure (DfI) announced that after a public consultation, it concluded the plan
"would not achieve the best outcomes for the local community".
The proposals were first introduced in 2022 when DfI launched a public consultation on implementing an experimental traffic control scheme for an initial six-month period.
This plan was unveiled shortly before the opening of Ulster University's new £370 million Belfast campus, which relocated approximately 15,000 students and staff from Jordanstown to the city centre.
Concerns had been raised regarding the busy roads surrounding the campus, particularly York Street, which connects motorists to major routes including the Westlink, M2, and M3.
Emily Roberts, president of Ulster University Students' Union, expressed her concerns about pedestrian safety.
"We are disappointed to see this proposal dropped. Students have raised concerns with us about the challenges of navigating the York Street area,"she said.
"The volume and speed of traffic can make crossing roads difficult, particularly during peak hours."
Roberts added that a more pedestrian-friendly York Street would encourage
"healthier, more environmentally friendly travel, such as cycling and public transport use".
Ben Friel, president of the National Union of Students and Union of Students in Ireland (NUS-USI), highlighted the area's growth in student accommodation.
"If we want to continue attracting students to this area, ensuring they feel safe must be a fundamental priority,"he stated.
North Belfast councillor Carl Whyte of the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) criticized the DfI's approach.
"DfI has taken a congestion-as-usual approach,"Whyte said.
"The proposal would have transformed the area and allowed people to enjoy car-free surroundings like people in cities and towns across Europe."
The public consultation conducted by the Stormont department in 2022 received 19 responses, including 14 objections, three expressions of support, one neutral response, and one objection submitted outside the response timeframe, according to a Freedom of Information disclosure.
Ulster University stated it had engaged extensively in the consultation process.
"This has been in relation to staff and student safety, accessibility and in support of the department's stated goals of active travel, sustainability and health promotion,"a university spokeswoman said.
"The university remains open to engaging with DfI on this matter."
The Department for Infrastructure confirmed it had decided not to proceed with the experimental scheme.
A DfI spokeswoman explained that
"on-site observations"indicated traffic
"continued to flow well following the opening of the campus."
She added,
"It is the department's view that the initial proposal would not achieve the best outcomes for the local community and that future enhancements to the York Street area will be considered within the emerging Eastern Transport Plan which will be published for public consultation in the coming weeks."
The department also noted that the York Street area will
"continue to be reviewed going forward."
