Infrastructure Minister John O'Dowd has announced a pilot scheme which will permit Class A and Class C taxis to use certain bus lanes in Belfast city centre while road works associated with Grand Central Station are carried out.

To facilitate essential public realm works around the new station a full road closure of Durham Street (from Grosvenor Road to Hope Street) will be in place for a period of up to 12 months. Following the completion of the necessary legislative processes, the Department aims to introduce an experimental scheme which would allow Class A and Class C taxis to use specified city centre bus lanes for the duration of the works. Further details on commencement of the pilot will be confirmed in due course.

Minister O'Dowd said:

"The closure of Durham Street is necessary for the development of Belfast Grand Central Station and associated public realm works. My Department has worked closely with Translink to manage traffic flow during the ongoing construction, however some level of disruption is unavoidable while these important works are carried out.

"In order to alleviate some of the disruption, and to support the taxi industry, I have asked my officials to urgently bring forward proposals which will permit Class A and Class C taxis to use certain bus lanes in the vicinity of the works.

"The taxi industry provides an important service within our community ensuring people, including the most vulnerable in society, have door to door access to work, education, socialising and medical appointments. Tourists to the city, including those arriving at the new station, are also regular users of taxis.

"My Department will be taking forward the necessary legislative arrangements as quickly as possible and I will announce further details on the commencement of the pilot in the near future."

Notes to editors:

1. Both Class B and Class D taxis are already permitted to use bus lanes.
2. All media queries should be directed to the Department for Infrastructure Press Office at: [email protected]
3. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110
4. Follow the Department on Twitter @deptinfra and on Facebook @DepartmentforInfrastructure

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