POOR SHOW ON TRAFFIC

THE BALMORAL Show’s move to Lisburn has been hailed a huge success but questions have been asked over the traffic chaos that came with it.
Heavy traffic built up on the main Lisburn Road near Moira on the first day of the Balmoral Show. INUS2012-TRAFFICHeavy traffic built up on the main Lisburn Road near Moira on the first day of the Balmoral Show. INUS2012-TRAFFIC
Heavy traffic built up on the main Lisburn Road near Moira on the first day of the Balmoral Show. INUS2012-TRAFFIC

According to one local councillor the chaos around the city could have been avoided if a better road infrastructure had been put in place.

Councillor Ronnie Crawford was speaking this week, as many of the 80,000 who made their way to the three day agricultural and food show event had to suffer traffic congestion around the old Maze site.

At one stage traffic was queued as far back as the Moira Roundabout, with drivers facing a three hour delay.

On the first day of the show Mr Crawford said, “Given Lisburn’s long history of substantial public investment deprivation now is the time to use the money earmarked for the abandoned A5 project to be spent on M1 filter lanes at the Maze site and the completion of the Knockmore/Sprucefield Road Link.

“This would be an opportunity for the Assembly to recognise Lisburn’s huge revenue contribution in rates and taxes,”

However, First Minister Peter Robinson said he hoped any problems with regards to access would be overcome.

“We’ll look at what happens in the next couple of days and look at the possibility of doing something that might take away some of the difficulties that occur this year,” he said.

Organisers of the Royal Ulster Agricultural Show, the police and the DRD said that they did all they could to prevent congestion by implementing a traffic management plan to facilitate the large numbers of people attending the Balmoral Show by road.

“Advice and information was issued by show organisers in advance that delays were likely and police officers on the ground have been focussing on keeping traffic moving and minimising disruption where possible on this, the first day of the Show,” said a police spokesperson.

Translink also introduced special train and bus services to the Show and anyone planning to travel to the Maze site was encouraged to make use of these direct services where available.

“The traffic management plan is constantly reviewed and updated as circumstances change and develop.”

CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

SHOW COVERAGE - P27 & 30

Transport Minister Danny Kennedy said: ”I met with RUAS on the first day of the show (Wednesday 15 May) to express my concerns about the traffic problems and re-emphasised the need for people to use the extensive public transport service.

“DRD will be happy to work with the Development Corporation to ensure any new arrangements are suitable and fit for purpose.

“It is clear that new road infrastructure will be required to meet the needs of the Maze/Long Kesh development site .

“We will work with the Development Corporation and my Executive colleagues to determine what is needed and how it will be funded.”

Lynda Shannon of Translink said that all transport plans for the Balmoral Show were running on schedule – priority access for shuttle bus passengers

She said that Translink’s special transport arrangements continue to run on schedule and more show visitors are being encouraged to take advantage of train and coach options.

A free shuttle bus service ran from 8.30am and 9pm between Lisburn Train Station to the new Show grounds.

She said: “All public transport is running very well to the show with much positive feedback from passengers. Shuttle buses are able to bypass any traffic queuing both on site and on roads near the site so the simple message is to beat the queues by taking the shuttle bus and enjoy priority access.”

Show coverage - pages 27&30.