8 June 2006

M1/WESTLINK UPDATE

Motorists should leave extra time for their journeys due to roadworks on the M1/Westlink, coupled with the start of the Clonard Novena.

Stockman's Lane Junction

Roads Service and HMC (contractors for M1/Westlink scheme) would remind motorists of the start of demolition works at Stockman's Lane junction. From Wednesday 14 June 2006 the M1 motorway will be operating in contraflow, with four lanes of traffic travelling on the south-bound carriageway to allow the bridge that carries the north-bound carriageway to be demolished. Traffic lanes will also be narrower than normal and subject to a reduced speed limit. Motorists can expect delays on the M1 and should allow extra time for their journeys. Two lanes will be available in each direction on the M1 between 6am and 10pm.

Clonard Novena

This work coincides with the Clonard Novena which also commences on Wednesday 14 June and will attract over nine thousand people per day to the monastery in West Belfast. This will generate additional traffic on the M1 motorway and Westlink to access the west of the city. The M1/Westlink road works will particularly affect traffic heading to the monastery from the M2, where there is no right-turn at the Grosvenor Road junction onto the Falls Road and by the contraflow at Stockman's Lane junction.

People attending the Novena should plan their journey and allow extra time, particularly in the morning peak.

Royal Victoria Hospital and Belfast City Hospital

Access to the Royal Victoria Hospital (RVH) and Belfast City Hospital will remain unchanged at present, with motorists travelling from the M2 unable to turn right at the Grosvenor Road junction with Westlink. The alternative route to the RVH from the M2 is to leave Westlink at Divis Street and follow the signs to the RVH or to carry on Westlink to Broadway and access the RVH from this junction.

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