The highly anticipated Glider north-south routes have finally been revealed. Minister John O'Dowd says his officials are now working on detailed designs to take the G3 service along the Antrim Road in the north, and Ormeau and Saintfield roads in the south.
It follows a public consultation that drew 1,200 comments from the public. He would also like the routes to extend to Carryduff and Glengormley but said a decision will be made after a feasibility study.
Read more: New Glider plans could see two-way traffic return to Royal Avenue
We revealed earlier this year how the new routes could see Gliders going two way down Royal Avenue and Donegall Place.
Minister O'Dowd said: “I know that people across north and south Belfast have been keen to see progress on extending this successful service so I am pleased today to announce my decision on the preferred route.
“My officials will now commence the detailed design of the proposed G3 route along the Antrim Road in the north, and along the Ormeau Road and Saintfield Road in the south. It is important that we are ambitious in terms of our public transport provision and therefore I have decided that the north and south routes should extend to Glengormley and Carryduff, respectively; however, the feasibility of such will be further assessed as part of the detailed design.
"The existing City Centre to Titanic Quarter Glider service will also be extended to connect with Queen’s University and the City Hospital.
“My officials will continue to engage with residents, businesses and other stakeholders along the selected route as the detailed design is progressed.”
Subject to funding, it is currently estimated that the North-South Glider service could become operational in autumn 2027.
A public consultation on Phase 2 to serve north and south Belfast commenced on 26 July 2021 and closed on 4 October 2021, with significant support expressed for the announced route say DfI.
Further detail on the preferred routes:
- South Belfast – Running from the existing G1/G2 network at City Hall along Great Victoria Street, Bruce Street, Bankmore Link (proposed new public transport and cycling link Road) to Ormeau Road then continuing from Ormeau Road to Ravenhill Road intersection and along the Saintfield Road to Carryduff.
- G2 Extension - This route forms an extension to the existing G2 service which currently serves the Titanic Quarter via the city centre network. Running from the existing G1/G2 network at City Hall along Great Victoria Street, Bruce Street, Dublin Road, University Road, Elmwood Avenue and returning to the city centre via Lisburn Road and Great Victoria Street.
- North Belfast – Running from the existing G1/G2 network at Belfast City Hall along Donegall Place, Royal Avenue, Donegall Street and Clifton Street to Carlisle Circus then continuing along Antrim Road to Glengormley. Routing through the city centre is subject to further consideration in light of the aspirations of “A Bolder Vision for Belfast” during the detailed design stage.
Chris Conway, Translink Group Chief Executive, said: “This important scheme will further transform public transport in the city, allowing us to build on the success of the current Glider system and working alongside the roll out of Zero Emission High Quality Bus Corridors across all of Belfast.
“It is good news that detailed design work will now commence and we look forward to working with the DfI to deliver the new service as soon as possible and bring the benefits of Glider to people living in the north and south of the city, further improving connectivity across Belfast.
“Phase 2 supports our commitment to inspiring more people to choose public transport as their first choice for travel for a cleaner, greener and healthier city.”
Retail NI Chief Executive Glyn Roberts said: ”The Minister has made his decision and we will work with him and his team to progress this scheme.
“Retail NI produced its own report last year which highlighted concerns of our members about deliveries, potential loss of trade and car parking for disabled shoppers on the Ormeau and Antrim Roads with the new Glider route.
“These issues need to be addressed before work is commenced, and Retail NI is very clear that no small business should be in any way be disadvantaged by the proposed Glider routes. The Infrastructure Minister needs to meet with our members on the Antrim and Ormeau Roads and agree a way forward which will allay their fears.”
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