New measures are aimed at easing Chapel Hill congestion

Chapel Hill has been a notorious bottle neck for many years, with campaigners, including the former Mayor, the late Peter O’Hagan, who repeatedly called on Roads Service to take action to prevent people parking along the narrow stretch of road.

The Roads Minister, Danny Kennedy, recently wrote to Lisburn Councillor Ronnie Crawford to inform him that work was being carried out to improve the congestion problems in the area.

“I can advise that the Department has recently consulted on a proposal to amend the existing waiting restrictions and provide a loading bay on Chapel Hill,” said Mr Kennedy.

“The necessary legislative procedures have been completed and Roads Service is currently finalising arrangements for the provision of the associated road markings and upright signage, which it hopes will be in place by the end of November 2012.”

A spokesperson for the Roads Service confirmed that the work has now been completed. “Because of increased traffic congestion on Chapel Hill at Bow Street Mall in Lisburn, Roads Service has introduced new waiting restrictions to benefit road users, business owners and pedestrians in the area,” he said.

“The new double yellow line restrictions prohibit parking, loading or unloading at all times. To facilitate local businesses a new loading bay has been provided opposite Bow Street Mall as part of the scheme,” he added.

Lisburn Councillor Ronnie Crawford welcomed the news. “I am delighted to announce that the traffic jam caused by parking at the bottom of Chapel Hill is about to end,” he said.

“I welcome Danny Kennedy’s announcement, which is timed perfectly to help in the Christmas rush and brings this marathon effort which has taken about seven years or more to bring to a conclusion,” he concluded.