22 November 2004
PARKING IN BELFAST THIS CHRISTMAS
DRD Roads Service is trying to ease traffic congestion and parking problems for shoppers in Belfast city centre in the run up to Christmas. Roads Service is introducing extra buses on the two major Park and Ride routes from Roads Service's Northside and Eastside car parks, helping to relieve traffic congestion and free up some of the 10,000 parking spaces in the city centre.
The car park at Eastside has been recently, reconstructed and increased in size, providing over 200 spaces. Roads Service has opened a new car park at Corporation Street and increased the number of on-street car parking spaces throughout the city centre.
Whilst Roads Service appreciates that for many people a car may be essential, it is worthwhile considering convenient public transport alternatives rather than contributing to the seasonal congestion. However, for those shoppers who really need to use their cars, here are some of the options:
Park and Ride
Park and Ride customers, park in designated car parks outside the city centre and continue their journey by bus. The concept is well established and the Belfast schemes, at Northside and Eastside, operated as a joint venture by Roads Service and Translink, are proving very popular. From 1 December until Christmas, both Northside and Eastside car parks will be open until 9.00pm, Monday to Friday.
Free Bus Travel
The Park and Ride bus journey is FREE for drivers and ALL their passengers. On entering the car park the driver receives a ticket, which covers everyone in the car and gives them free return travel to the city centre on the bus. The driver pays for parking in the normal way on returning to the car park.
Every 10 Minutes
Throughout the year these buses run at least every 15 minutes during the day. However, from now until Christmas an additional bus will be provided at busy times every day (except Sunday), which should reduce the interval to less than 10 minutes.
Where Can I Go?
The dedicated buses provide a return shuttle service right to the heart of the city centres main shopping area and back. They are painted in a special livery to distinguish them from other Translink buses.
The Northside bus runs to Royal Avenue, Donegall Place and Chichester Street. From Eastside the bus runs to Ann Street, High Street, Donegall Place and Chichester Street.
Accessibility
There are marked disabled parking bays in the Park and Ride car parks and the buses all have low floor access. Both Northside and Eastside car parks are easy to get to from the M2 Motorway, Westlink, the M3 Lagan Bridge and Sydenham By Pass.
City Centre Parking
There are nearly 10,000 parking spaces in Belfast City Centre, almost half of which are in modern multi-storey car parks. The remainder of the spaces, many of which are provided by Roads Service, are either on-street or in off-street surface sites, within easy walking distance of the main shopping areas.Convenience
Our off-street surface sites have distinctive Roads Service red and yellow signage and are generally manned car parks. Alternatively, motorists can buy tickets from convenient Pay and Display machines and park in designated on-street spaces.Hi Tech
In May 2002 we led the way in introducing the latest on-street pay and display-parking machines, which, as well as cash, accept payment from most credit and charge cards. Conveniently, transactions are carried out using mobile phone technology; it takes only a few seconds for the ticket and receipt to be issued.Other Information
Additional information is available on Roads Service car parks at: www.roadsni.gov.uk , under Information, Car Parking.
The Traffic Information and Control Centre (TICC) provides traffic information at www.trafficwatchni.com and also on a telephone service, 08457 123321. These services provide dynamically updated information on prevailing traffic conditions. There will be extended TICC operational hours on weekday evenings and at weekends during the run up to Christmas.
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