Proposals to expand pedestrianisation in Belfast city centre are expected to be published for consultation within weeks, the Department for Infrastructure has confirmed.
The options will form part of a new transport plan for the Belfast area. The department is preparing to ask residents, businesses, visitors and accessibility groups for their views before decisions are made on any permanent changes.
Temporary street closures used during Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann have informed the latest stage of the work. The festival recorded city-centre footfall of more than 1.6 million across eight days while parts of the central road network were managed differently to accommodate performances and crowds.
Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins said the event demonstrated how streets can operate when more space is assigned to people walking, wheeling and spending time in the centre. The department's stated aim is to improve access and public space while reducing dependence on private cars for some journeys.
The consultation will need to consider public transport, deliveries, disabled access, taxis, cycling and the movement of emergency services as well as the experience of pedestrians. The department has not yet published the detailed streets, operating hours or traffic arrangements that could be included.
No permanent closure takes effect through the announcement itself. The next step is publication of the Belfast transport-plan proposals, followed by a period in which the public can examine the options and submit responses.