Plans For Residents’ Parking Schemes

In March 2026, Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins announced that a new application process for residents’ parking schemes would open in April 2026, providing a demand led pathway for residents to bring forward requests for consideration. This initial application timeline closes at the end of July. The Minster has already committed that her Department will give consideration to a scheme that could address the emerging on-street parking pressures in the vicinity of the Ulster University campus in Belfast. As such, no initial application for any scheme around Lancaster street area is required by end July.

It may, however, be useful to consider if a residents’ parking scheme would be welcomed in the area and some helpful links and information below may assist in that consideration. 

Ulster University is happy to offer a space for consulting and engagement sessions between residents and the DFI in order to answer questions and progress the discussion.

What is a residents’ parking scheme?

A residents’ parking zone is an area where only vehicles with a valid permit or parking ticket are allowed to park during certain times of the day. A residents’ parking zone aims to give people in residential areas the chance to park closer to their homes or businesses.

A residents’ parking scheme does not guarantee residents a specific space outside their homes or businesses. The aim of a residents’ parking zone is to improve the overall availability of parking within an area so residents can park close to their houses. The initial focus on any first round of a scheme is on these who have no access to off road parking. These residents with access to off road parking, would be considered in a second round of the scheme.

51% of the area in questions has to support the scheme for it to progress. Only one application can be made every 5 years.  Residents are entitled to one permit per household, which allows them to park in spaces available within the zone.

If you live in the residents' parking zone area, you can apply for a resident permit, which costs £30 per year (Blue Badge holders can access free permits). However this area may have access to permits free of charge due to its location within a Neighbourhood Renewal Area.

Full details can be found via the below links.

Residents Parking Zones – FAQs | Department for Infrastructure

Overnight Maintenance Works Continue on A12 Westlink

Residents living near the A12 Westlink are being advised that essential overnight maintenance works are currently underway as part of an ongoing road infrastructure improvement programme.

The A12 Westlink forms part of the Design Build Finance Operate (DBFO) Package 1 contract and is operated and maintained on behalf of the Department by Highway Management (City) Ltd and its operating partner, Intertoll.

The works involve the renewal of sections of the vehicle restraint system along the A12 Westlink. Construction activity began on the 18th of May and is expected to continue for approximately eight weeks.

To minimise disruption to daytime traffic, the works are being carried out during overnight hours between 11.00pm and 6.00am on weekday nights.

Due to the nature of the maintenance activities, some noise may be experienced by nearby residents. However, contractors have confirmed that every effort is being made to keep noise levels to a minimum while ensuring the work is completed safely and efficiently.

The improvement works are considered essential to maintain road safety standards and the long-term reliability of this key transport route through Belfast.

For more information: https://aecom.com/projects/dbfo1-futureproofing-belfasts-strategic-highway-network

Residents’ Parking Zones

The application window for residents’ parking zones is now open and will run from 28 April 2026 until 31 July 2026. Residents’ parking zones are designed to help people living in residential areas park closer to their homes or businesses by restricting parking during certain times of the day to vehicles displaying a valid permit or parking ticket.

Residents and businesses within a designated zone can apply for permits allowing them to park within that area during the zone’s hours of operation. In most cases, households are entitled to one parking permit, although this may depend on the amount of available parking space within the zone. Properties with private off-street parking, such as driveways, may not qualify for a permit. A permit allows parking within the zone but does not guarantee a specific parking space or a space directly outside a property.

Residents’ parking zones will also include pay and display parking for motorists without a valid permit during operational hours.

To qualify for consideration, an area must experience ongoing commuter or nuisance parking, consist entirely of adopted roads, and have fewer than 50 per cent of properties with access to off-street parking. In addition, a majority of residents and businesses within the proposed area must support the introduction of a residents’ parking zone.

Applications for a residents’ parking zone can only be submitted during the designated application period. Applicants will be required to outline the parking issues affecting their area and provide evidence of local support for the proposed scheme. Applications received after 31 July 2026 will not be considered and must be resubmitted when the next application window opens.

Applications that do not meet the eligibility requirements will be unsuccessful, and applicants will be informed of the reasons why. If an application is unsuccessful, a further application cannot normally be made for five years unless there has been a significant change in circumstances.

More information: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/residents-parking-zones

Little York Street Consultation

A public consultation relating to proposed Traffic Regulation Orders for Little York Street and Little Patrick Street is now live and can be viewed on the Department for Infrastructure website.

The consultation includes four separate orders covering waiting restrictions, loading bays, a one-way system and traffic calming measures. The consultation period for the loading bays, waiting restrictions and one-way system proposals will close on 18 June at 5pm, while the consultation on the traffic calming measures will remain open until 29 June at 5pm.

Residents in the Lancaster Street area of North Belfast have once again raised concerns over increasing parking pressures, saying the issue has returned despite previous efforts to address it.

Locals report that residential streets in the area are becoming increasingly congested, with a growing number of vehicles believed to belong to students and non-residents. What was once considered a relatively manageable parking environment has, according to residents, become a daily challenge, particularly during weekdays. Local residents say they are now struggling to find parking spaces close to their homes, with some forced to leave their cars several streets away. The renewed concerns echo previous complaints. 

The issue has again been brought to the attention of nearby student accommodation providers and Ulster University.  The university has acknowledged the latest concerns and are understood to be reinforcing communication with students.

Patrick Street/Little York Street Project Update.

A key milestone has been reached in the ongoing development process, with the Non-Material Change application now officially submitted and live on the planning portal. Project stakeholders have expressed optimism that approval will be granted in the near future, allowing the scheme to move forward without significant delay.

Alongside this, progress continues on the Traffic Regulation Order (TRO), a crucial element of the overall plan. Proposals were submitted to the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) at the end of February, and Belfast City Council (BCC) is currently awaiting feedback. Once this response is received, the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) will be in a position to move ahead with public advertisement of the proposals.

However, the timeline may be influenced by public response. Should objections be raised during the advertisement phase, additional time may be required to review and address these concerns before proceeding further.

In parallel with these processes, the BCC Design Team is advancing work on the project’s tender drawings. Before these plans are finalised, local engagement remains a priority. Residents in the Lancaster Street area will be invited to attend a meeting where they can review the final proposals and share their feedback.

This consultation session is expected to take place in May, providing the local community with an opportunity to have their voices heard before the project enters its next phase.

Parking Pressures Rise on Great Georges Street as Residents Voice Concerns

Residents on Great Georges Street are raising growing concerns over ongoing parking difficulties, which they say are being caused by an increasing number of students and non-residents leaving vehicles in the area.

According to locals, the street has been traditionally a residential parking space, has seen a noticeable surge in cars, particularly during weekdays. Many residents report struggling to find parking near their own homes, with some forced to park several streets away.

The issue has been raised with nearby student accommodation providers, as well as Ulster University. In response, both parties have acknowledged the concerns and are currently working to communicate with students, urging them to avoid parking on residential streets like Great Georges Street.

The situation remains under review, with residents hopeful that cooperation between the community, accommodation providers, and the university will lead to a fair resolution.

The Department of Infrastructure treats vehicles parked in contravention of parking restrictions very seriously with Traffic Attendants employed across Northern Ireland to help keep traffic moving freely and safely.  Parking on pavements is a particular area of concern.  Drivers often mistakenly think they are doing the right thing by keeping the road clear but fail to consider the needs of people on the footway causing them inconvenience and often putting them in danger.  This is a particular risk for people with disabilities, older people, children and people pushing prams who may have to go onto the road to get around the parked cars.   

The restrictions that into force last year, aim to help address this issue by prohibiting parking wholly or partly on a footway at a number of specific locations.  This includes footways adjacent to:

• a bus lane;

• the limits of any bus stop in a lay-by or any bus stop as delineated by markings on the carriageway at any time;

• the limits of any bus stand in a lay-by or any bus stand as delineated by markings on the carriageway at any time;

• the limits of any mandatory cycle lane as delineated by markings on the carriageway at any time; and

• the limits of any mandatory school keep clear as delineated by markings on the carriageway at any time. 

The Rule also revokes and re-enacts existing prohibitions on footways.

All vehicles found to be in breach of the new restrictions will receive a £90 Penalty Charge Notice, discounted to £45 if paid within 14 days. 

Drivers are urged to abide by the new rules and to show consideration at all times when parking to ensure they are not causing an obstruction and inconvenience to others.

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