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

Dromore lies between Lisburn and Banbridge 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 a strategic transport scheme on the A1. This scheme has significant land use implications and is therefore also proposed in this Plan as detailed below.

There is a network of roads, cycle tracks, footways and other public rights of way in Dromore that provide for walking and cycling. They include a riverside walkway and certain non-vehicular routes such as Gourleys Loanin. 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 including a new bridge over the river to provide a more direct connection from Meeting Street car park to the town centre.

Express buses link the town with Belfast, Banbridge and Newry. Local bus services run to Banbridge, Newry and Lisburn. A Town Service links peripheral housing areas to Dromore town centre.

The basic road pattern in Dromore generally consists of radial roads leading from the town centre. The main routes are Hillsborough Road, Banbridge Road, Lurgan Road, and Mossvale Road. Minor radial routes include Maypole Hill, Gallows Street, Mount Street, Meeting Street and Barban Hill. Strategic north-south traffic avoids the town centre by utilising the A1 bypass to the west of the town. A grade-separated junction has recently been built at the A1 Hillsborough Road junction.

Apart from the Transport Scheme on the A1, no additional infrastructure is planned for Dromore. However, traffic management measures such as the refinement of junction layouts, changes to waiting restrictions and alterations to the direction of flow of traffic may be required to maintain network efficiency as traffic patterns change and as development land is taken up through the plan period. Access from Dromore to the A1 will be further enhanced by the implementation of the above-mentioned strategic transport scheme. 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 141 car parking spaces in car parks and a number of on-street car parking spaces in the town centre. Parking supply and demand will generally be controlled through the use of management measures such as charging, short stay restrictions and effective enforcement. Development of one or more of the Opportunity Sites may provide opportunities for the provision of additional public car parking.

The A1, as indicated on Map No. 2/03a - Dromore, is a Protected Route. Policy for the control of access to the A1 is contained in Policy TPT 1 in Volume 1 of the Plan.

The disused rail track bed, as indicated on Map No. 2/03a - Dromore, could be used for transport or recreational purposes and is protected under Policy AMP 5 of PPS 3 - Access, Movement and Parking.

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

The implementation of this scheme will improve road safety by reducing the number of right turning movements on the dual carriageway.