AQW 9298/22-27

Miss Nuala McAllister
Alliance Party
North Belfast

Tabled Date: 20/03/2024
Answered On Date: 08/04/2024
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Infrastructure what sustainable solutions he plans to implement to ensure the bus lane on Antrim Road, Belfast, remains clear during its hours of operation.

Answer:

In 2015 the Department became responsible for the enforcement of Moving Traffic Offences (MTOs) in bus lanes in the Greater Belfast area.

The Antrim Road Bus Lane currently operates as a tidal flow Bus Lane. The hours of operation are, Southbound: 07:30 - 09:30 and Northbound: 15:30 - 18:30, and enforcement consists of

A mobile CCTV enforcement vehicle that patrols the bus lane during the morning and evening peak periods, Traffic Attendants on scooters who patrol the route every morning and afternoon Monday – Friday; and

The Remove and Clamp operation will also patrol once-a-day as a minimum Monday to Friday.

It is anticipated that the proposed G3 route will run along the Antrim Road, and we expect the hours of operation will be the same as the East/West Glider route i.e. 7am to 7pm Monday to Saturday. As such, my Department would envisage an increase in demand for MTO enforcement to manage the proposed increase of hours of operation.