THE BELFAST METROPOLITAN TRANSPORT PLAN TRANSPORT STUDY OCTOBER 2020 BELFAST METROPOLITAN TRANSPORT PLAN - LOCAL TRANSPORT STUDY Contents Executive Summary ................................................................................................................................................ i 1.0 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................. 1 1.1. Purpose of Transport Study .................................................................................................................. 1 1.2. Study Approach and Document Structure ............................................................................................ 2 1.3. Study Area ............................................................................................................................................ 3 2.0 Policy Context ......................................................................................................................................... 14 2.1. Introduction ....................................................................................................................................... 14 2.2. Planning Policy Context ...................................................................................................................... 14 2.3. Draft Programme for Government ..................................................................................................... 17 2.4. The Regional Development Strategy 2035 – Building a better Future (RDS 2035)............................... 17 2.5. Ensuring a Sustainable Transport Future: A New Approach to Regional Transportation (New Approach) 18 2.6. Northern Ireland Changing Gear – A Bicycle Strategy for Northern Ireland ........................................ 19 2.7. Exercise Explore Enjoy: A Strategic Plan for Greenways ...................................................................... 20 2.8. Draft Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan 2015 ......................................................................................... 20 2.9. Belfast Metropolitan Transport Plan 2015 .......................................................................................... 20 2.10. Belfast City Centre Transport Framework ........................................................................................... 21 2.11. Belfast City Council Context ................................................................................................................ 22 2.12. Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council Context ........................................................................ 24 2.13. Ards and North Down Borough Council Context ................................................................................. 26 2.14. Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council Context ..................................................................................... 29 2.15. Mid and East Antrim Borough Council Context ................................................................................... 30 3.0 Transport Context .................................................................................................................................. 32 3.1. Integrated Land Use and Transport Planning ...................................................................................... 32 3.2. Belfast Transport Network .................................................................................................................. 32 3.3. Wider BMUA Transport Networks ...................................................................................................... 33 4.0 Transport Objectives .............................................................................................................................. 36 4.1. Introduction and Transport Objectives Outline ....................................................................................... 36 5.0 Current Transport Issues ........................................................................................................................ 38 5.1. Introduction ....................................................................................................................................... 38 5.2. Regional Accessibility .......................................................................................................................... 38 5.3. Active Travel Infrastructure ................................................................................................................ 44 5.4. Public Transport Services .................................................................................................................... 46 5.5. Sustainable Transport Accessibility ..................................................................................................... 48 BELFAST METROPOLITAN TRANSPORT PLAN - LOCAL TRANSPORT STUDY 5.6. Urban Traffic Congestion .................................................................................................................... 52 5.7. Road Collision History ......................................................................................................................... 54 5.8. Travel to Work Destinations ............................................................................................................... 57 5.9. Modal Choice for Journeys to Work and Education ............................................................................ 60 5.10. Parking Provision in Belfast City Centre .............................................................................................. 64 5.11. Legacy Road Alignments and Other Protected Land ........................................................................... 67 6.0 Growth ................................................................................................................................................... 68 6.1. Belfast City Council Growth in Population and Employment ............................................................... 68 7.0 The BMA Modelled Area ......................................................................................................................... 71 7.1. Introduction ....................................................................................................................................... 71 7.2. Technical Modelling Approach ........................................................................................................... 72 7.3. Alternative Illustrative Transport Measures ........................................................................................ 87 7.4. Appraisal of Options ........................................................................................................................... 93 7.5. Alternative Illustrative Networks ........................................................................................................ 97 7.6. Appraisal of Networks ...................................................................................................................... 101 7.7. Overall Modelling Conclusions .......................................................................................................... 105 8.0 Indicative Transport Measures ............................................................................................................. 107 8.1. Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 107 8.2. BMUA Illustrative Transport Measures ............................................................................................. 107 8.3. Outer Area Transport Measures ....................................................................................................... 108 8.4. Land-Use .......................................................................................................................................... 110 Annex A Development of Transport Objectives ..................................................................... 111 Annex B Illustrative Transport Measures ............................................................................... 118 Annex C Legacy Road Alignments .......................................................................................... 143 Annex D Belfast Metropolitan Transport Study Modelling Report ......................................... 144 Annex E ANBC LTS ................................................................................................................. 144 Annex F AND LTS ................................................................................................................... 144 Annex G LCC LTS ................................................................................................................... 144 Annex H MEA LTS .................................................................................................................. 144 Annex I Addendum to Growth ............................................................................................... 145 BELFAST METROPOLITAN TRANSPORT PLAN - LOCAL TRANSPORT STUDY List of Figures Figure 1.1 - Study Approach ................................................................................................................................ 2 Figure 1.2- Belfast Metropolitan Transport Plan - Local Transport Study - Study Area ...................................... 4 Figure 1.3 – Belfast City Council Key Characteristics