City Hall recommends “simpler” and safer system at Shaftesbury Square, as well as more room for walkers
Belfast Council has sung a rare song of praise for the Stormont Department for Infrastructure in voicing its full support for the Dublin Road Botanic Avenue cycling scheme, which has been put out for consultation.
At a committee meeting at City Hall this week, elected representatives unanimously agreed to a glowing consultation official response to the DfI proposals.
Officers for the council’s City Growth and Regeneration Committee said City Hall “strongly supports the proposed Dublin Road and Botanic Avenue improvements”, while giving a series of recommendations, including “meaningful” local engagement, a “simplification” of Shaftesbury Square with better pedestrian crossings, “decluttered pavements” and enhanced safety.
READ MORE: Belfast councillors support drug testing at festivals, and call for pilotREAD MORE: Sinn Féin clash with City Hall officials over proposed two-year ban on failed Irish street sign applications
DfI has commenced preliminary engagement on proposals to enhance pedestrian and cycling infrastructure along Dublin Road, Shaftesbury Square and Botanic Avenue. The scheme includes a dedicated cycle track, improved pedestrian crossings, and public realm upgrades.
The council report says: “The corridor is a strategically important link between the city centre, the university quarter, major employment clusters and South Belfast communities. It is also a key section of the civic spine identified within the “A Bolder Vision” document for Belfast.”
Officers state: “Most importantly, (the DfI plan) represents the type of bold, people-centred intervention that will help Belfast transition toward a more inclusive, sustainable and vibrant city centre.”
The Belfast “A Bolder Vision” document is a joint initiative by Belfast City Council, the Department for Communities, and the Department for Infrastructure to transform the city centre into a more accessible, sustainable, and “people-focused” environment. It focuses on prioritizing active travel, green spaces, and reducing car use.
Officers state: “The Dublin Road–Botanic corridor is an important and significant segment of the Civic Spine, one of Bolder Vision’s four key moves. Its transformation is essential to delivering Bolder Vision’s ambition for a connected, vibrant and people focused city centre. The scheme supports commitments to remove severance, create lively and inclusive streets, embed climate-led placemaking, and improve perceptions of safety, particularly for women, girls and vulnerable users.”
The council response read: “Bankmore Square is a key gateway into the city centre. The proposed improvements should reinforce this role by creating a seamless, legible and generous connection between the square and the active travel corridor.
“Shaftesbury Square remains one of the most challenging junctions in the city. Its current layout creates severance, poor pedestrian experience and safety concerns. The council strongly supports efforts to simplify the junction, reduce vehicle speeds and provide continuous, protected cycling provision.
“Pedestrian crossings should be direct, generous and aligned with desired lines. This location also presents an opportunity to begin the transformation of the square from a traffic dominated space into a civic node, with tree planting, lighting and placemaking elements that reflect Bolder Vision’s ambitions.”
It continued: “Botanic Avenue is a vibrant mixed use corridor with high footfall, a strong evening economy and a significant student population. The proposed improvements should reflect its character and function. Wider footways, decluttered pavements, improved crossings and pedestrian priority side streets will support local businesses and enhance safety.
“Lighting, sightlines and design should explicitly address perceptions of safety, particularly for women and girls. There is also a strong opportunity to integrate street trees, SuDS and biodiversity features to create a greener, more climate resilient street.
“The council emphasises the importance of embedding inclusive design from the outset. Streets must work for people with a disability, older people, children, neurodivergent users and those with visual and mobility impairments.
“The council also encourages the department to undertake meaningful and ongoing engagement with residents, businesses, community organisations and institutions along the corridor. Given the scale of change proposed, it is essential that those who live, work and trade in the area are fully involved in shaping the final design, ensuring that the scheme supports local economic vitality, accessibility and community wellbeing.”
Green Councillor Áine Groogan said at the City Growth and Regeneration Committee meeting this week: “I completely agree with the response there. The reason I speak is that it is very rare that I give compliments to the Department for Infrastructure. So it needs to be noted that when they do good work, we give them kudos for that.”
She added: “I hope it marks a departure for the department.”
For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.

You must be logged in to post a comment Login