Traffic News
Yellow wind warning for Northern Ireland
Between 07:00 on Sat 21 Dec 2024 to 21:00 on Sun 22 Dec 2024
Headline
A period of strong winds on Saturday is likely to lead to some transport disruption
What to expect
- Some delays to road, rail, air and ferry transport are likely
- It’s likely that some coastal routes, sea fronts and coastal communities will be affected by spray and/or large waves
- Probably some bus and train services affected, with some journeys taking longer
- Delays for high-sided vehicles on exposed routes and bridges likely
- There is a small chance of isolated, short term loss of power
Further Details
Strong westerly winds are expected to develop through the course of Saturday, with gusts of 50-60 mph developing quite widely across this region.
This has the potential to cause delays to public transport and some disruption to the road network, which may have a greater than usual impact given the busier pre-Christmas weekend travel. Dangerous coastal conditions can be expected too, with large waves an additional hazard.
What should I do?
Give yourself the best chance of avoiding delays by checking road conditions if driving, or bus and train timetables, amending your travel plans if necessary.
People cope better with power cuts when they have prepared for them in advance. It’s easy to do; consider gathering torches and batteries, a mobile phone power pack and other essential items.
If you are on the coast, stay safe during stormy weather by being aware of large waves. Even from the shore large breaking waves can sweep you off your feet and out to sea. Take care if walking near cliffs; know your route and keep dogs on a lead. In an emergency, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.
Be prepared for weather warnings to change quickly: when a weather warning is issued, the Met Office recommends staying up to date with the weather forecast in your area.
Regions and local authorities affected
Northern Ireland
- County Antrim
- County Armagh
- County Down
- County Fermanagh
- County Londonderry
- County Tyrone
Co Tyrone - Leaving Dromore on the St Dympnas Road we have received a report of an oil spill extending as far as the junction of the Longhill Road - Please slow down on this stretch until we can attend and treat (11:24)
There are currently no reports of any incidents or delays.
Road users are advised of traffic disruption in Belfast city centre this Saturday morning - 21st December due to a parade.
The parade is expected to start at Writers’ Square at midday and will proceed along Donegall Street, Royal Avenue, Donegall Place, Donegall Square North and Chichester Street towards Erskine House, where a number of speeches will take place before dispersal at 2pm.
Police officers will be present to manage traffic and public safety.
To avoid potential delays please seek an alternative route for your journey where possible during these times.
Further to below. All cones have now been lifted on the A24 Saintfield Road and the Knockbracken Road has been fully reopened. This will now be in place for the duration of the Christmas and New Year period. A further update will follow when a start date is agreed some time in January for the remainder of the works. Last updated 6th December 2024
A developer led junction improvement scheme on the A24 Saintfield Road and Knockbracken Road junction will begin on Tuesday 6th August 2024.
The scheme is expected to last 60 weeks and involves widening the northbound and southbound A24 Saintfield Road carriageway. This will allow for improvements to the signal-controlled junction at the Old Saintfield Road, as well as the signal-controlled junction at the Knockbracken Road.
To facilitate the work, it will be necessary to implement a continuous lane closure on the A24 Saintfield Road. The full-time lane closure will be operational until further notice.
Additionally, the Knockbracken Road will be closed at its junction with the A24 Saintfield Road until the citybound widening is complete. A temporary 30mph speed limit will be in place for the duration of the works.
Fermanagh - Road users are advised that due to a carriageway subsidence, the Carrowkeel Road between Lisbellaw and Tempo, is currently closed to traffic between the Tattymacall Road and the Lough Eyes Road junctions. Early indications are the road will be closed for some time. Please seek an alternative route for your journey.
A major £2.4m road safety improvement scheme will commence at The Cutts junction Dunmurry on Monday 14 October.
The scheme will provide significant safety improvements for right turning vehicles and pedestrians by widening of the McKinstry Road to accommodate a revised traffic signal layout at the busy McKinstry Road /Derriaghy Road /The Cutts junction.
In order to complete the work safely it will be necessary to implement lane closures throughout the duration of the scheme.
The number of running lanes will also be reduced to one lane of in each direction as the work progresses, particularly in the Belfast bound direction over the initial weeks of the scheme to allow for the carriageway widening.
Derriaghy Road will be closed from mid November for 20 weeks to allow for carriageway widening, slip road construction and culvert works.
Delays to traffic in the vicinity of the works are inevitable and where possible road users should consider an alternative route while the Department completes the works.
The next phase of work will get underway on Monday 6th January adjacent to St. Vincent Street/ Seaview. To carry out the work as safely as possible, city-bound lanes at Seaview will need to be closed. Two-way traffic (one lane in each direction) will be controlled around the working area via temporary traffic lights. The traffic lights will be controlled during peak hours – morning and evening – to maximise traffic progression and will be in operation for approximately three weeks.
Durham Street Closure for essential Public Realm works
To facilitate essential public realm works around the new Belfast Grand Central Station, Durham Street (from Grosvenor Road to Hope Street) closed on Saturday 12 October 2024 for a period of up to 12 months.
Translink is encouraging people to consider using public transport to access the city during this next phase of works as road users can expect some delays.
Clearly signed diversionary routes will be in place for motorists that need to travel to the city and everyone is asked to follow these or to find an alternative route or way to travel.
Belfast - Phoenix Energy will be carrying out planned works to their network on the A20 Upper Newtownards Road from Carrowreagh Road (Dundonald) to Hawthornden Way (East Belfast) commencing on Monday 26th August 2024 through to April 2025.
The works will be undertaken in small sections, across four phases:-
Phase 4 Comber Road to Hawthornden Way (bypassing Stormont) – Monday 11th November – April 2025
Monday 11th November to Sunday 24th November: Works start at Dundonald Cemetery, moving City bound to the Rosepark junction. Two central lanes will be closed as work takes place, allowing traffic to flow via one lane in a City bound and country bound direction.
- There will be an embargo on all roadworks from Monday 25th November until the beginning of January which means there will not be any disruption to commuters and Christmas shoppers throughout December.
- The entire Phase 4 project which will see work spanning Upper Newtownards Road in a City bound direction to Hawthornden Way is due for completion in 2025.
- Local diversions will be in place for side streets.
Further details are available at https://phoenixenergyni.com/uppernewtownardsroad
Castlereagh - the Church Road will be closed for approximately 19 weeks from Monday 30 September between Marlborough Heights and the Henry Jones Memorial Playing Fields from 9:30 to 4:30 pm Monday to Friday each day for the construction of a 465m of new footway and resurfacing of the road.
Church Road Footway Scheme is now expected to be completed by the end of January 2025.
When Church Road is closed, a local diversionary route will be in operation. Access to properties within the extents of the works area will be maintained.
Access to Lough View Integrated Primary School and Henry Jones Playing Fields will be from the Manse Road end of Church Road.
Road users should allow extra time for their journey and follow the diversionary route, which will be clearly signed on approaches to each road closure.
North Belfast – there will be a lane closure on the Forthriver Road from Forthriver Drive to Forthriver Way for resurfacing work.
This will be operational Daily 08:00 to 18:00 from Monday 30 September – to Friday 20 December 2024.
Delays of up to 5 mins possible.
RESURFACING TO RECOMMENCE JANUARY 2025
A major resurfacing scheme of the A2 Sydenham Bypass, Belfast commenced on Wednesday 25 September 2024.
A road closure will be in place on the citybound lanes, heading from Tillysburn junction to the start of the M3, this is scheduled to be completed over five months with the majority of the work expected to be undertaken under a series of overnight and weekend closures. Lane closures may also be required at other times.
Please see below the next upcoming road closure dates. More dates will be added as works progress:-
Friday 01 Nov 22:00 - Monday 04 Nov 06:00
Friday 8 Nov 22:00 - Monday 11 Nov 06:00
Friday 15 Nov 22:00 - Monday 18 Nov 06:00
Friday 22 Nov 22:00 - Monday 25 Nov 06:00 - CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER
During periods of closure a diversionary route will be clearly signed
- via Holywood Road, Newtownards Road and Bridge End.
- An alternative route will also be available via Holywood Exchange, Airport Road and Sydenham Road. Alternative routes will also be signed for cyclists and pedestrians.
Those road users, particularly those travelling to Belfast City Airport are advised to allow extra time for their journey and to follow the alternative routes which will be clearly signed on the approach to the works.
The works are subject to favourable weather conditions.
The Department has carefully planned these road works and associated traffic management arrangements in order to minimise inconvenience to the public.
As the Department continues to monitor the landslide at The A2 Shore Road, Rostrevor, it will continue to operate under a lane closure.
B15 Glenshesk Road, Ballycastle (between Glenbank Road and Greenan Road) remains closed due to a landslide / partial road collapse on Wednesday 27 March 24.
The road may be closed for the foreseeable future given the severity of the collapse.
Road users should avoid the area and seek an alternative route for their journey.