Northern Ireland's Department for Infrastructure (DfI) has kicked off a £650,000 active travel improvement scheme on Island Street, Belfast, this week.
Forming part of the Belfast Cycling Network, this scheme is expected to feature a two-way segregated cycle track and new traffic calming features along Island Street between the Underpass on Ballymacarrett Road and the junction of Island Street and Dee Street.
This will link to existing cycling facilities on Middlepath Street leading into the city centre and to the Ballymacarrett Walkway, linking to Connswater and Comber Greenways.
Announcing the scheme, infrastructure minister Liz Kimmins said: ‘This scheme represents a significant investment in active travel infrastructure in the east of the city and further demonstrates my ongoing commitment to walking, wheeling and cycling. Schemes such as this provide safer, healthier and environmentally friendly transport choices for people who wish to leave the car behind for some of their shorter everyday journeys.'
The department has said that the work will include some temporary traffic management arrangements along Ballymacarrett Road and Island Street.
Daily lane closures will be in place along Ballymacarrett Road and Island Street between 17 November and 1 December 2025, and the road will be closed to through traffic from then until early Spring 2026.
However, it added that access will access will be maintained for local businesses, residents, pedestrians, and cyclists ‘at all times'.
