Boucher Playing Fields warning from PSNI as people walk down motorway hard shoulder

Police officers walking down a road with cars on either side and a bus in the background
-Credit: (Image: Jonathan Porter/PressEye)


Police in Belfast have issued a statement on Saturday evening, reminding motorists "once again" that it is illegal to stop, park or walk on the hard shoulder of motorways.

Officers are currently in the South Belfast area, conducting traffic management duties ahead of a music festival in Boucher Playing Fields. Several motorists were issued with penalty tickets last weekend.

In a stark warning, a PSNI spokesperson said: "We will not hesitate to issue them again. The hard shoulder is neither a safe place to park, nor is it legal. It is for emergency use only.

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"It appears that attendees are being dropped off from vehicles queuing on the motorway, and making their way to the event by walking down the hard shoulder.

"Fixed penalty tickets can also be issued to pedestrians for this offence.

"This is a serious safety issue and must stop immediately - we want people attending the festival to have a great night and to remember the event for all the right reasons."

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