Translink responds to calls for more park and ride space in busy …
Translink is being urged to explore other options to create more park and ride facilities in parts of North Down[1] to ease ongoing parking congestion problems.
Some local councillors in the Ards and North Down Borough[2] say a new facility at the Bangor Sportsplex is essential as a means of easing rail halt problems.
Others point out that congestion is a problem at every rail stop from Bangor[3] to Holywood[4] and also causes problems around the homes of people who live near train halts.
Many residents have long been calling for an end to years of parking misery[7] caused by daily train commuters.
Those living in the Bangor West, Carnalea, Helen’s Bay and Seahill areas have had to endure people parking outside their homes all day while they catch the train to work in Belfast for many years.
While there is a Park and Ride scheme in operation directly opposite Bangor Train Station in the town centre and at nearby Dufferin Avenue, demand outstrips supply and it is an increasing problem faced by the residents in these areas.
The council has been engaging with Translink to establish the possibility of using the car park at Bangor Sportsplex as a park and ride facility to mitigate the issues commuters and residents are facing daily at Bangor West.
It was also pointed out that a bus service departing from there to Belfast and/or a train station could also potentially offer a solution to the ongoing problems.
But in response Translink said funding was a factor for both it and the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) at this time.
For years residents in Bangor West have endured those parking outside their homes all day while they catch the train to work in Belfast. (Image: Belfast Live)
Alliance Councillor Hannah Irwin said parking has been a problem particularly for residents living in the Bangor West and Carnalea areas.
“I know there are a lot of issues with commuters parking around the streets outside residents’ homes and it causes congestion,” she added.
She urged the council and other stakeholders “to explore other options and not just draw a line under this to make sure we can try to find a solution for residents”.
“At this time we’re meant to be encouraging public transport and making active travel as easy as possible so this is one way we could do that,” Cllr Irwin added.
UUP Councillor Craig Blaney said there are congestion issues with people parking at every rail halt the entire way from Bangor Central, through to Bangor West and on to Holywood.
He said: “This issue has been well documented and any sort of park and ride system would alleviate parking issues in Bangor Central and other areas as well.
“With the infrastructure work that’s happening in the centre of Bangor and what’s being planned there, any ability to take those parkers out of the city centre and move them into areas designed for park and ride would be much appreciated.”
Join our new WhatsApp community today
Click this link[8] or scan the QR code to receive breaking news and top stories from Belfast Live. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice[9].
Members of the council’s Environment Committee have agreed to continue dialogue with Translink DfI in a bid to identify other options for easing the ongoing rail halt problems.
In a statement to Belfast Live, a Translink[10] spokesperson said: “We are committed to providing attractive sustainable transport options for everyone and continue to work with local stakeholders, including the council and DfI, to consider all viable options that enable more people to connect with public transport interchanges in the area.
“A focus on careful land use planning and management of road space remains a top priority in ongoing discussions.”
For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here[11] and sign up to our daily newsletter[12] here.
References
- ^ North Down (www.belfastlive.co.uk)
- ^ Ards and North Down Borough (www.belfastlive.co.uk)
- ^ Bangor (www.belfastlive.co.uk)
- ^ Holywood (www.belfastlive.co.uk)
- ^ NI council’s ‘disastrous’ recycling centre changes faces fightback (www.belfastlive.co.uk)
- ^ Developers issue update on Bangor’s £50m seafront revamp (www.belfastlive.co.uk)
- ^ calling for an end to years of parking misery (www.belfastlive.co.uk)
- ^ Click this link (chat.whatsapp.com)
- ^ Privacy Notice (www.reachplc.com)
- ^ Translink (www.belfastlive.co.uk)
- ^ here (www.belfastlive.co.uk)
- ^ sign up to our daily newsletter (www.belfastlive.co.uk)