A Stormont department has drawn up fresh proposals to pedestrianise a popular cobbled street in Belfast's Cathedral Quarter.
It comes after a trial scheme banning vehicles from Hill Street during the Covid-19 pandemic ended amid a mixed response from businesses.
The popular nightlife area was pedestrianised alongside the adjacent Gordon Street in 2020 by then Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon in a bid to encourage walking and cycling.
But the much-publicised move petered out in subsequent months, with cars frequently spotted driving along the narrow streets without any apparent restrictions.
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The Department for Infrastructure said a temporary road closure, which still gave businesses permitted access, had lasted until October 31 2020 but was not extended further.
Last year Ms Mallon said her department had sought to promote improvements on Hill Street and Gordon Street "by consensus rather than by enforcement" and officials were engaging with stakeholders.
Newly appointed Infrastructure Minister John O'Dowd gave an update in response to a written Assembly question from SDLP South Belfast MLA Matthew O'Toole.
The Sinn Féin minister said: "My officials have recently developed a new proposal for the pedestrianisation of Hill Street and are currently engaging with stakeholders and local businesses on this proposal."
It emerges following confirmation that a trial pedestrianisation of Union Street, home to several popular LGBT bars in the city centre, is being extended for another six months.
Last year, the manager of Cathedral Quarter BID (Business Improvement District) said businesses were divided on permanent pedestrianisation of Hill Street and Gordon Street.
Damien Corr had said some people thought there was "little or no consultation" when the trial was implemented.
"There was a split in the business community in favour and against. It seemed unlikely to us that full pedestrianisation would get agreement in the foreseeable future," he said.
But he said they were confident they could work with the Department for Infrastructure and businesses to agree a compromise, such as partial closure at weekends.
Earlier this year, it emerged the PSNI had asked Stormont to give police the power to hand out spot fines for cycling in pedestrian areas.
A range of new fixed penalty notices for cycling should be considered for Northern Ireland similar to those available to gardaí in the Republic, police said.
Read more: Belfast Cathedral Quarter pedestrian zone not being enforced, says minister
Read more: Belfast city centre pedestrianisation trial extended for six months
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