Ballyclare acts as both a service centre to its rural hinterland and provides employment for those living in the Metropolitan Rural Area. It has good transportation connections to the wider BMA and has a well developed service base and existing infrastructure.

The road network in Ballyclare is centred on Main Street, North End and Market Square in the Town Centre. A number of roads lead into the Town Centre including the Hillhead Road from the south, the Doagh Road from the west and the Rashee, Ballyeaston and Ballycorr Roads from the North and North East.

There are various types of car parking available in the Town Centre ranging from surface level parking, to free and paid on-street parking.

BMTP proposals are aimed at improving accessibility and encouraging greater use of public transport through improved frequencies on core local routes to Ballyclare.

Non Strategic Road Proposal

The Ballyclare Relief Road between Templepatrick Road and Rashee Road is required to support development proposals within Ballyclare. It will provide an alternative route for traffic away from the central area of the Town, which presently suffers from major traffic congestion.

The Plan only shows that part of the road line for which a definite route has been determined. Its continuation through Housing Zoning BE 04/04 as far as Rashee Road south of Claughlin Lane within the Settlement Development Limit will be provided in conjunction with the housing development. The precise line of this portion of the road will be determined as part of the Concept Master Plan for the housing development.

Developers will be responsible for funding the scheme either in full or in a very substantial part. DRD’s priority for funding will be concentrated on the construction of major capital works schemes on the Strategic Network. Any contribution towards developer-led schemes will be subject to detailed economic appraisal, the availability of funding and inclusion within the major works programme.