O’Dowd calls on MPs to stop calling Belfast congestion ‘chaos’

Stormont’s infrastructure minister has urged his fellow MPs to stop describing Belfast’s traffic problems as “chaos”.

John O’Dowd suggested that dire descriptions of recent congestion problems were discouraging people from traveling to the city.

The city center has faced traffic management issues in recent weeks, with road closures and detours linked to the opening of the new Grand Central Station being key factors in the disruption.

While the minister urged commuters to consider turning to public transport to help ease congestion, bus and train services have also been hit by delays and cancellations.

A senior official in Mr O’Dowd’s department also urged people whose workplaces are based in Belfast to consider working one day a week from home, if possible, as another way of helping to ease pressure on the city’s road network.

Mr O’Dowd faced further questions on Tuesday about traffic problems at the Assembly.

The impact of congestion on city center businesses in the run-up to Christmas was highlighted.

The minister brought forward a meeting with a group of business representatives to this Thursday after raising concerns that it was originally scheduled for January, after the end of the peak holiday season.

“Those who claim to have the interests of Belfast at heart would do well not to constantly broadcast: ‘There is traffic chaos in Belfast’,” Mr O’Dowd told MPs in the House.

“There are traffic jams in Belfast. Last Thursday night was particularly difficult due to a traffic accident on the M1 and M2 motorways, weather conditions and the failure of traffic lights at Ormeau Road.

“So if the people in this room genuinely have the best interests of Belfast at heart, then let’s have a sensible, informed conversation about what’s happening in Belfast and ensure that people who want to travel to Belfast enjoy the footage and sounds of the holiday season, I feel confident in doing so.

The minister said he would work with businesses to examine their concerns.

“One of the reasons why Belfast is so busy with traffic is that Belfast is also doing particularly well commercially,” he said.

“Like all businesses, they are still recovering from the impact of Covid-19.

“This season is particularly important for them. I will work with companies on this subject.

“But, again, I say to members of this room, if you send the message that there is chaos in Belfast, what message does that send to people who want to come to the city to enjoy the sights and sounds of the city? city?

“My department and I have outlined alternatives to commuters coming into the city, and I would encourage others to encourage commuters to view and plan their trip to the city.”