A call has been made for improved cycling infrastructure on the Ravenhill Road to improve transport for the growing community in the area.
Green Party councillor Brian Smyth has written to the Infrastructure Minister asking for the South Belfast road to be included in the plans for the Belfast Cycle Network, believing that it could become a popular active travel corridor for that part of the city.
He says that currently the Ravenhill Road suffers from a lack of public transport, with there being no buses available on a Sunday, and it is regarded as the "poorer relation" of the nearby Ormeau Road and Cregagh Road.
With plans for a new bridge across the River Lagan from Ormeau Park to the Gaswork, the councillor feels that now is the perfect time to plan a new designated cycle route for the area, which would improve residents' access into the city centre.
Speaking to Belfast Live, Councillor Smyth said: "The Ravenhill Road is a growing and vibrant area that is getting more popular every year, but it is lacking in the transportation infrastructure that residents need.
"There are poor public transport links even though it has become a very attractive place for people to live.
"With the Glider being proposed for the Ormeau Road, it could mean that designated cycling infrastructure may not be able to be put in place there leaving the Ravenhill Road as the best available option and I believe that it could become a very successful active travel corridor.
"Currently there is space on the road to put the infrastructure in place and with it having a lower gradient than the Ormeau Road, it could be an ideal location for a cycle route that would service the Ormeau and Cregagh areas as well.
"With the plans for the new bridge to the Gasworks, it creates a perfect route that would allow people to get around the city much easier without having to use a car.
"Belfast has become far too over-reliant on the car and we need to have the infrastructure in place to encourage people to use other methods of transport, that will not only improve congestion around the city but reduce emissions and improve the health and wellbeing of everyone living here."
A Department for Infrastructure spokesperson said: “Last year Minister Mallon published ‘ Making Belfast an Active City – Belfast Cycling Network 2021 ’. This document which provides a blueprint for a step change in cycling infrastructure in Belfast over the next 10 years includes a proposal for a safe cycle route on the Ravenhill Road and other proposals within Lisnasharragh. The Department is currently working on a delivery plan for the Belfast Cycling Network and this will set out timeframes for the delivery of the various schemes in the Network.
Minister Mallon set up a Blue/Green Infrastructure Fund, to provide funding for these active travel schemes and this year committed £13.5million of capital funding from that Fund to active travel projects delivered by the Department and by Councils. The Minister remains fully committed to increasing opportunities for active travel as an important measure to help address the climate emergency.”
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