Banbridge / Newry and Mourne Area Plan 2015
District Proposals: Banbridge Transportation

Banbridge lies between Belfast and Dublin on the Eastern Seaboard Key Transport Corridor, which is part of the Regional Strategic Transport Network as defined in the Regional Transportation Strategy.

The Regional Strategic Transport Network Transport Plan identifies strategic transport schemes on the A1 in and adjacent to the town. A transport study has been undertaken for Banbridge, it is summarised in the Transport Technical Supplement. The Sub-Regional Transport Plan (SRTP), informed by the transport study, will identify further detailed proposals for the town. Those Transport Schemes with significant land use implications are also proposed in this Plan and are detailed below.

There is a network of roads, cycle tracks, footways and other public rights of way in the town that provide for walking and cycling. They include a riverside walkway and certain non-vehicular routes such as Law's Lane. The Key Site Requirements attached to some of the land use zonings in the town make provision for further enhancements to the pedestrian/cycle network.

Express buses link the town with Belfast, Newry and Dublin. Local bus services run to Portadown via Gilford, Lurgan, Lisburn via Dromore, Newcastle, Rathfriland via Moneyslane, Rathfriland via Annaclone, Rathfriland via Glasker, Newry and Scarva. A Town Service links peripheral housing areas to Banbridge town centre. A new bus station is proposed in the town.

The basic road pattern in Banbridge generally consists of radial roads leading from the town centre. The main routes are Newry Road, Dromore Road, Lurgan Road, Castlewellan Road, Rathfriland Road and Scarva Road. Minor radial routes include Huntly Road, Ballygowan Road, Old Newry Road and Hill Street. Strategic north-south traffic avoids the town centre by utilising the A1 bypass to the east of the town.

Opportunities for orbital movement are limited; therefore much of the local traffic travels through the town centre resulting in congestion during peak hours. A grade-separated junction has recently been built at the A1 Rathfriland Road junction.

Traffic flow in the town will be improved by the implementation of the road schemes detailed below. These schemes include a new bridge over the River Bann and further junction improvements on the A1. The Key Site Requirements attached to some of the land use zonings in the town make provision for further minor enhancements to the road network to be implemented in association with development proposals.

There are 435 on-street car parking spaces and 654 spaces in car parks in the town centre.

A parking study has been undertaken to develop a parking strategy for Banbridge. The results of the study are detailed in the Transport Technical Supplement. They indicate that overall parking pressure in Banbridge town centre is currently within acceptable bounds, but that there are localised significant parking demands. A car park building programme is not proposed. Parking supply and demand will generally be controlled through the use of management measures such as charging, short stay restrictions and effective enforcement.

Parking supply in excess of the normal standards may be permitted in association with development proposals. However, it must be demonstrated that such parking facilities will genuinely serve the town centre, as a whole and an agreement to this effect will be required.

Some of the town centre car parks are identified as Development Opportunity Sites. Developers of these sites will be required to replace, either on-site or in close proximity to the site, any existing public car-parking spaces lost as a result of any proposal and to provide any additional car parking necessary for the development proposal. Development of one or more of the Opportunity Sites may provide opportunities for the provision of multi-storey car parking.

The A1, A26 Lurgan Road and A50 Castlewellan Road are Protected Routes as indicated on Map No. 2/02a - Banbridge. Policy for the control of access to the A1 is contained in Policy TPT 1 in Volume 1 of the Plan and policy for the control of access to other protected routes is contained in Policy AMP 3 of PPS 3 - Access, Movement and Parking.

The disused rail track beds, as indicated on Map No. 2/02a - Banbridge, could be used for transport or recreational purposes and are protected under Policy AMP 5 of PPS 3 - Access, Movement and Parking.

The following transport schemes are proposed. Land required for these schemes is protected under Policy AMP 4 of PPS 3 - Access, Movement and Parking.

A new bus station for Banbridge is proposed in the Regional Strategic Transport Network Transport Plan. A site has not yet been identified, however the bus station should ideally be located in the town centre at a location convenient to the commercial core of the town.

This scheme is required to facilitate development of the Cascum Road sites and the Newry Road mixed use site (see plan proposals BE 32, BE 34, BE 35 and BE 36) and will be constructed by the developer. The improvement of this junction is considered to be of strategic long-term benefit. The implementation of this scheme will improve road safety by reducing the number of right turning movements on the dual carriageway. Work on this scheme has commenced.

This scheme is being taken through statutory procedures under the Roads (Northern Ireland) Order 1993. The implementation of this scheme will improve road safety by reducing the number of right turning movements on the dual carriageway.

This scheme is required to facilitate development of land zoned for housing (see plan proposal BE 28) and is considered to be of strategic long-term benefit. It will be partly development led.

This scheme will be undertaken as resources or development permits. It will be partly development led. The scheme will aid the circulation of traffic around the town centre.

This scheme will be undertaken as resources permit. The scheme will relieve congestion in Church Square. It includes a new bridge crossing over the River Bann.

This scheme will be undertaken as resources permit. The scheme will aid the circulation of traffic around the town centre.

A Park and Ride/Share facility adjacent to the A1 in Banbridge is proposed in the Regional Strategic Transport Network Transport Plan, it seeks to encourage the use of public transport and reduce dependence on the private car. An application for planning permission has been submitted for this facility.