Two Belfast City Centre streets are to be reconfigured for single lane traffic and traffic calming measures.
Elected members at the December meeting of the Belfast City Council Planning Committee agreed to application by the council itself for a public realm scheme involving work on Little Patrick Street and Little York Street, Belfast, BT15.
It will involve the reconfiguration of Little Patrick Street to a single lane carriageway, including localised shared space, traffic calming and restricted access to enable servicing and emergency access.
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Meanwhile traffic calming measures will be provided to Little York Street. Other works will include the installation of planters with integrated seating, tree planting, rain gardens, bespoke lighting pillars, catenary lighting, and surface improvements.
The proposed public realm scheme is around the four student accommodation blocks built to cater for the new University of Ulster campus. The recent student block developments house around 4,000 students, and are adjacent to existing communities in the Lancaster Street area.
Little Patrick Street is currently a two-lane, two-way street for vehicular traffic with little York Street comprising a single lane one way street connecting Great George Street with Great Patrick Street. Both streets have pedestrian footpaths to both sides and contain no street trees or 'soft' landscaping.
Council Planning recommended the application for approval. The council report on the application states: “The proposal would reduce street parking and minimise through traffic in the area. It would enhance active travel measures and provide a foundation for better interaction within the space.
“This is considered acceptable given the highly sustainable location of the site. The application is a placemaking led approach to deliver a purpose designed space to meet the needs of the growing population in this expanding part of the city.”
Regarding Little Patrick Street, the council states: “The carriageway will be reduced to a single lane and stopped to traffic in the western half of the street. There will be recessed bays designated for bins which will remove them from public views along the street.
“The street will be broken up with public seating areas which include rain gardens and planting. Street trees will be introduced to enhance the biodiversity and aesthetics of the area.”
Regarding Little York Street, the council states: “Little York Street has been recently resurfaced and is in good condition. Design proposals for this street focus on discouraging vehicular through traffic between Great Patrick Street and Great George Street whilst retaining existing access to the accommodation blocks where required.
“This is achieved by changing the surface material from tarmac to natural stone paving by the Great Patrick Street end to encourage use as a pedestrian walking route.”
It adds: “Street lighting is also proposed (for both streets). The lighting aims to achieve a balance in the street feeling safe and attractive but seeking to limit instances of antisocial or noisy behaviour within a largely residential setting.”
None of the statutory consultees made any objections to the plan. The council received two third party letters of support, from the Ulster University and the Student Roost accommodation block, and two third party objections.
In relation to one of the objections, the council states: “A local business had initially made a representation regarding proposed planters blocking access to their delivery warehouse entrance and car parking area.
"Revisions have been received to the satisfaction of DFI Roads which adequately address the representation received. The neighbours and objector were notified of the amendments and no further representations were received.”
The council also received an objection from the head of operations of one of the student blocks adjacent to the site. The planning report states: “The main concerns include issues with the lighting that is to be attached to the student building. The objection states that the proposal will restrict access and maintenance to the building windows above ground floor levels.
“It states that no long-term plan has been presented for maintenance. This representation also states that financial assistance will not be provided for maintenance of trees, planting, lighting, and other features associated with the proposal.
“In addition, it states that the proposal will impact on bin collection arrangements, and that the proposal would disrupt and obstruct parking and movement within the area. These points have been considered by the applicant.
“The applicant has provided supporting information relating to the traffic and bin collection which has been considered by DFI Roads. DFI Roads have no objections to the proposal and on this basis the proposal will not adversely impact on access, traffic, road safety, servicing of adjacent properties including and that of bin storage and collection arrangements. They have also confirmed that no lighting is proposed to nearby buildings.”
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