Northern Area Plan 2016
Coleraine Borough: Portrush Transportation

Portrush is not on the RSTN, but is served by a number of arterial routes, including Ballyreagh Road, Atlantic Road, Ballywillan Road, and Dunluce Road. Most of these routes converge on the town centre, into the one-way system along Eglinton Street, Kerr Street, Main Street, and Dunluce Avenue, where the levels of on-street parking and servicing of adjacent properties can cause disruption to the flow of traffic into and through the town.

In 1994 following an extensive Public Inquiry, changes were made to the one-way system, in particular in the Eglinton Street and Dunluce Avenue area. Following subsequent public representations, modifications were implemented at the southern end of Eglinton Street and on Sandhill Drive. 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 within the plan period in Portrush town centre. However, further traffic management measures such as the refinement of junction layouts, changes to and stricter enforcement of waiting restrictions, 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.

Consideration is being given to the development of a Transport Centre in Portrush at the site of the current rail station. It is intended that this will provide quality waiting and information facilities for passengers. It is also envisaged that exclusive parking for passengers would be made available in the near vicinity. This project is dependent on the outcome of the Railway Review Group's consideration in relation to the non-core network and will need to pass normal budgetary approval procedures and statutory planning procedures.

During the Plan period, a number of Local Transport and Safety Schemes will be identified for implementation within the Portrush area, which is identified within the “Other Urban Area” category in the Sub-Regional Transport Plan. These schemes, which will be in line with the Regional Transportation Strategy, will further enhance the area through better management of traffic, traffic calming measures, collision reduction schemes, provision of facilities for the disabled, and 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.