New Belfast City Centre temporary bus lanes will "reduce congestion"

New temporary bus lanes are to come into operation in Belfast City Centre at the start of next month.

The bus lanes are being introduced as part of public improvements works around the new Grand Central Station in Belfast and will come into operation on Monday, July 1.

The Department for Infrastructure says the bus lanes will "reduce congestion by providing a viable alternative to the car" and is recommending anyone coming into the city centre over the coming months to use active travel or public transport.

Read more: Details of lane closure on main Belfast city centre road as Grand Central Station work continues

Read more: What we know so far ahead of Belfast Grand Central Station opening this autumn

It has also said that the lanes are designed to ensure that emergency services can access the city centre along with reducing pollution.

The lanes will be available to buses, motorcycles, bicycles and permitted taxis during the periods of operation and to all vehicles at other times. Lanes will be clearly marked with white lines and the associated signs. And any accessible parking spaces that are affected will be relocated.

Four new bus lanes will operate as follows:

• Howard Street – 24-hour bus lane on the approach to the Gt Victoria Street junction. The left turn into Gt Victoria Street will be for buses only.

• Gt Victoria Street - 7am to 7pm, Monday to Saturday, bus lane up to the junction with Bruce Street.

• Bruce Street - 7am to 7pm, Monday to Saturday, bus lane up to the junction with Dublin Road.

• Dublin Road - 7am to 7pm, Monday to Saturday, bus lane up to Shaftsbury Square.

In addition, there will be a bus lane on North Street, which will operate from 7am to 7pm, Monday to Saturday, from Bridge Street to Royal Avenue. The accessible parking bays for Blue Badge holders on North Street are being relocated, towards Bridge Street and into Royal Avenue.

Another proposal for a temporary bus lane on the Lisburn Road, from 8:30am to 9:30am, Monday to Friday, from Jubilee Road (City Hospital) to Sandy Row is still being finalised.

The department has said enforcement work at the bus lanes will take place to ensure that the traffic flows as freely as intended.

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