AQW 35306/22-27

Mr Peter McReynolds
Alliance Party
East Belfast

Tabled Date: 12/11/2025
Answered On Date: 11/12/2025
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Infrastructure whether an equality impact assessment has taken place, regarding the pedestrianisation of Hill Street, Belfast.

Answer:

The Traffic Orders to be introduced as part of the pedestrianisation of Hill Street are in accordance with RSPPG E063 – Measures to Regulate Traffic. As part of the enactment of this policy, an overarching Section 75 screening form was completed.

I can confirm that my officials, as part of a consultation process, engaged with key business stakeholders, Cathedral Quarter Business Improvement District, IMTAC and the PSNI. In addition, a public consultation opened on 15 October 2025 and closed on 6 November 2025 which gave any interested party the opportunity to comment as part of the statutory procedure.

During the development and consultation phases of the Hill Street Pedestrianisation scheme specific local issues relating to Section 75 groups were identified. Officials have considered and addressed the issues in advance of the introduction of the experimental scheme.

As the pedestrianisation of Hill Street is being introduced as an experimental scheme, running for an initial 6 month period, any interested party has the opportunity to make further representations which will be fully considered.