BALLYMONEY
TRANSPORTATION AND PARKING

TRANSPORTATION

Ballymoney lies to the south of the A26 Key Transportation Corridor, having had a bypass constructed in the late 1970s. The increased traffic flow along the Ballymoney Bypass by 2016 is expected to cause significant levels of queuing and delay on the approaches to the Bypass, in particular on the B16 Kilraughts Road. While the bypass itself operates within capacity for the future year scenario, the constant stream of traffic on the bypass is expected to offer little opportunity for crossing movements and right turning movements.

The introduction of a new roundabout on to the bypass at the B16 Kilraughts Road will provide a good balance between demand for uninterrupted movement along the bypass and right turning/crossover demand at the junctions. The introduction of the roundabout is expected to break the flow of traffic sufficiently to provide crossing and turning opportunities at the remaining junctions, and address the delay and queuing issues on the side roads. Complementary traffic management measures may also be appropriate at some stage.

Congestion in the town centre has been minimised with most through traffic concentrated on the bypass. Within the Plan period it is considered that there will be no need for relief measures in the town centre and therefore no significant new provision is likely to be required in Ballymoney. It is considered that the former proposal for a town centre relief road through the Bowling Green and adjacent back lands cannot be sustained. Traffic management measures such as the refinement of junction layouts, changes to and stricter enforcement of waiting restrictions, the optimisation of signal timings and alterations to directions of flow may be required to maintain network efficiency as traffic patterns change and as development land is taken up through the plan period.

Plan policies and proposals affecting the development of transportation in Ballymoney are set out in the Transportation Section of Volume 1 of the Plan and are shown on the Ballymoney Town Map.

During the Plan period, a number of Local Transport and Safety Schemes will be identified for implementation within the Ballymoney area, which is identified within the “Other Urban Area” category in the Sub-Regional Transport Plan (SRTP).  These schemes, which will be in line with the Regional Transportation Strategy, will further enhance the area through better management of traffic, traffic calming, collision reduction schemes, provision of facilities for the disabled, and for improvements to the road, cycle, and footway networks. Implementation of identified schemes will be subject to the availability of resources within the Sub-Regional Transport Plan (SRTP).

PARKING

There are approximately 1,225 parking spaces available for public use in Ballymoney town centre, of which 560 (45%) are on-street. Many of these on-street spaces are in residential streets immediately adjacent to the commercial area, and are unrestricted, that is they have no time limit applied to them. The more central streets are largely restricted to “1 hour in any 2 hours” and are well used for short-stay parking. Of the off-street car parks, only two, Castle Street and Main St / Church St, providing 215 spaces, are charged, and generally operate under capacity. The remainder, comprising 450 spaces, are free, and with the occasional exception of Townhead Street, there is spare capacity in the free car parks.
 

Car Park Zoning BYP 01 Land at Townhead Street Car Park (0.16 ha.)

Land is zoned at Townhead Street Car Park to provide relocated parking provision.

This zoning relates to a vacant and derelict commercial site within the Townhead Street car park. The Department considers the removal of the present car parking area on the Townhead Street frontage would be beneficial in townscape terms. This zoning therefore links the redevelopment of this site with the successful disposal of an area of the existing car park adjacent to the Townhead Street frontage for residential development (BYH 17). The existing car park area on the Townhead Street frontage will not be released until there is a contract secured for the demolition of the derelict commercial building.

In accordance with the Department’s policy to cater primarily for shortstay parkers in town centres, the objective is to reduce the number of unrestricted spaces in Ballymoney. A more structured and effective enforcement and management regime, to include improved signage, will be put in place following the introduction of Decriminalised Parking Enforcement (DPE).

Even if all proposed development materialises, there is unlikely be a shortfall in the overall parking capacity by the end of the Plan period. However, parking supply and demand will be regularly reviewed in the light of the implementation of these proposals and the effects of DPE, and action taken as appropriate.