22 August 2001

WEEKEND ROAD CLOSURES IN BELFAST

DRD Roads Service is advising motorists in Belfast of a number of weekend road closures in the city.

East Bridge Street will be closed over the next two weekends to allow the final stage of work to be completed on this essential scheme.

The first closure will take place on Friday, 24 August from 8pm until 5am on Monday, 27 August. East Bridge Street will also be closed to traffic from 8pm on Friday, 31 August until 5am on Monday, 3 September.

A further road closure will take place on the Albertbridge Road from 6am to 6pm on Sunday, 26 August and from 9.30am to 4pm on Monday, 27 August as part of a resurfacing scheme.

During the closures, work will be carried out to introduce city-bound bus lanes on the two routes as part of the creation of a new Quality Bus Corridor on the eastern approaches to the city centre.

DRD Roads Service has been carrying out essential strengthening work to the arches of East Bridge Street over the summer months. The carriageway is also being widened to enable the completion of 130 metres of bus lane.

Throughout the period of the works, country-bound traffic has been diverted via the Queen Elizabeth Bridge, to allow the work to be completed safely.

A spokesperson for Roads Service said: "Every effort has been made to keep traffic congestion to a minimum and traffic has been flowing without causing too much disruption. Road users have now become familiar with the current diversionary route.

"However, in order to complete the works, East Bridge Street will need to be closed in both directions for two weekends. This means that East Bridge Street will be closed to City-bound and Country-bound through traffic from Laganbank Road to Stewart Street."

During the weekend closures on East Bridge Street motorists can use an alternative route for city-bound traffic via; Short Strand – Bridge End – Queens Bridge – Oxford Street.

The alternative route for country-bound traffic is via Victoria Street – Waring Street – Albert Square – Donegall Quay – Queen Elizabeth Bridge – Middlepath Street – Short Strand.

Following the two weekend closures on East Bridge Street, traffic will return to normal on Monday, 3 September.

Albertbridge Road will be closed to City-bound through traffic, from Templemore Avenue to Woodstock Link. An alternative route is via; Templemore Avenue – Newtownards Road - Bridge End – Queens Bridge – Oxford Street

All diversionary routes will be sign posted. Regular updates on traffic conditions in the city centre can be obtained by telephoning Roads Service traffic information on 08457 123321.

For further information contact Clare Baxter on 028 9054 0068.