There is a risk that roadworks in Belfast will lead to the city centre “grinding to a halt”, MLAs have heard.
An extended moratorium on essential works over Christmas will be considered to deal with chronic traffic issues in the city, the North's Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd has said.
However, Mr O’Dowd warned that there is a danger of the message being sent out that Belfast is “closed for business”.
The minister has previously said that ongoing work at the new £340 million Grand Central Station and a major resurfacing scheme at the Sydenham Bypass are contributing to serious traffic congestion in the city.
Since then, further concerns have been raised due to the 12-month closure of Durham Street, as part of public realms works at the new public transport hub.
On two evenings last week, public transport operator Translink advised of delays to some bus services in the city due to heavy traffic congestion.
Hospitality organisations have called for a moratorium on roadworks on arterial routes over Christmas to provide support to businesses over the festive period.
The Department for Infrastructure has said it will suspend non-essential works on key Belfast routes from November 25th, as it had done in previous years.
But trade organisations Hospitality Ulster and Retail NI have said they want to see this year’s moratorium widened and brought forward to start in mid-November.
During ministerial questions in the Assembly, opposition leader Matthew O’Toole raised the Grand Central Station works and Sydenham roads scheme.
The SDLP MLA said: “I support both those things happening, I am a huge supporter of Grand Central, but obviously there is a risk that this city grinds to a halt.
“What are you doing to minimise that disruption?”
Mr O’Dowd said: “We are now bringing forward measures to allow taxis into bus lanes, which I think will free up some commuter travel in the area.
“I have asked my officials to engage with Belfast City Council directly, to see what measures we can jointly take together, to inform citizens and promote Belfast moving forward.
“I have also asked officials to respond to the request from Retail NI and Hospitality Ulster in regards them seeking a further extension on the moratorium around roadworks around Christmas time.
“I have asked my officials, can we do that? Is it an option?
“If it is an option then let’s do it to support traders moving forward.”
The minister added: “But we are in danger of sending out a message that Belfast is closed for business. It is not.
“Belfast is extremely busy, which is a great thing. My responsibility is to make sure we can get commuters in and out of the city in an effective and efficient manner.”
Later, the minister was asked about road closures close to Grand Central Station.
Mr O’Dowd said: “The plan is to get as much of the public realms works completed around Grand Central Station as quickly as possible, so at the end of this there is no further traffic congestion.”
He added: “Where lessons can be learnt and where we can alleviate traffic congestion ahead of schedule or do it a different way, we will do that.”
