AQW 22331/17-22

Mr Andrew Muir
Alliance Party
North Down

Tabled Date: 13/09/2021
Answered On Date: 23/09/2021
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Infrastructure for an update on her Department’s plans concerning the Inner Ring Road, Belfast.

Answer:

The Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan (BMAP) 2015 proposed development of an orbital route around the city centre known as the City Centre Ring (Inner Ring Road), to enable traffic to circulate around the city centre, thereby reducing traffic in the centre. The proposal was subsequently not taken forward for development.

My Department is currently bringing forward a suite of new Transport Plans, including the new Belfast Metropolitan Transport Plan (BMTP). The development of the new BMTP will give consideration to the need for an Inner Ring Road.

The new BMTP will also consider a range of future options to meet local and regional objectives. These will include improved active travel and public transport provision as well as possible improvements to local roads.

The BMTP will be integrated with the formal Local Development Plan processes, and as such the timescales for the completion of the Draft Plan and its release for public consultation are still under review.

I am determined to use these Transport Plans to better connect our population and businesses in a sustainable way, and help power our Green Recovery.