LARG Member to suggest new design alternative for the forthcoming York Street Interchange building project.

A phased, simplified and low carbon alternative design has be proposed by local architect, community activist and LARG member Mark Hackett. 

Aiming to deliver early and simple phasing to remove traffic lights on strategic routes and the optimisation of flow through the remaining lights.  Proposes minimal physical ground works and excavations, this naturally involves compromise on some routes. Since 1993 a contingent road condition has existed - this proposal assumes a contingent optimisation for a climate crisis era. One further high level link could remove the last traffic light.

Pre-Works Phase

• Nelson Street to be widened 4 lanes in preparation for York Street to be closed.

• Radius corner construction Great Georges Street.  Phase one switch over.

• York Street is stopped up and transfers to Nelson Street as a two way / 4 lane city street. This allows removal of two major traffic lights on both M2 link.  Westlink to Bangor traffic is simplified and light is optimised where this crosses the M2. The Nelson / M2 link is closed up. The M2 and Bangor flows are separated and merged at Great Georges' Street improving flow.  Large improvements to regional flow occur immediately. Benefits accrue now, not in a decades time.

• A pre planned, prefabricated wide pedestrian & cycle bridge is installed at York Street. Parkland developed with pedestrian routes. Traffic is no longer induced and gathered to the Dunbar Link. York Street traffic / bus services now have stops / good two way connections to the Docks, river bridges and the key development sites all along Nelson Street. Nelson Street lands can be placed into a trust to lead the making of a new walkable, tree lined and built city street.  Edges can be enclosed, planted, screening regional noise and traffic from streets around - all the proposed urban benefits and walking routes can be achieved, often to a greater degree. The money saved could priorities and link the delivery of a Lagan Bridge to Titanic Quarter. 

Phase 2 Option

• Construction of the Westlink to Bangor route placed at high level could be planned as another phase, this would allow the removal of one remaining light on the M2 link.

Local Benefits & Issues

Residents in Thomas and Lancaster Street would still be able to access the end of York Street and residents section of Great George's Street can be made two way so residents are not taking a long loop. 

The solution allows more sound buffer space to be planned for residents overlooking the roads. Residents would have safe and good walking access to City Gate. Overall there will be less through traffic in local areas and the regional traffic can be better screened off and hidden. For regional traffic they get immediate improvements, residents get less pollution from stopped up vehicles. 

It may seem that York Street connection for buses is longer - but if you are sitting on the bus this has no impact - bus users get useful new stops near the river and bridges to Titanic Quarter, and still get dropped at the university and into the city.