Linen Quarter Public Realm Consultation Public Realm Interventions 1. Please highlight to what extent you would support the following interventions: Redesigning aspects of the public realm to support new social spaces? Number of responses: 117
120
2.
A greater focus on dedicated cycle lanes and improved pedestrian routes?
Number of responses: 117
3.
Removal of some on-street car parking spaces to facilitate social distancing and enhanced pavement space?
Number of responses: 118
100
4. What other public realm improvements would you like to see in the Linen Quarter, e.g. transport improvements/ play features / lighting / planting / art / places to sit and shelter / more pavement space for social distancing / more opportunities for external dining? Number of responses: 86
Text answers:
Certainly more outdoor seating, will help in summer months for lunch times for the offices near. Planting trees in conjunction with Million Trees Belfast and creative street art/murals on bare sides of buildings would also add appeal to the area. As well as the increased cycling infrastructure, bike storage would help immensely
Preservation and enhancement of historic character in any public realm works. Conservation of for instance granite kerbs, etc. Lighting and any other intervention appropriate and sympathetic in accordance with conservation area policy and guidance for the area.
As co-director of BelfastCityBikeTours I have direct experience of bike tour guiding in central Belfast. Over the last 7 years we have bike-guided over 5000 people from all over the world through Linen Quarter. Up to Covid we were rated 3 years in a row by Tripadviser as the number 1 outdoor activity in central Belfast . We have a unmatched bank of experience, knowledge and skills relating to biking in central Belfast. The 3 ‘stand-outs’ for us relating to the Linen Quarter are: 1. A segregated dedicated BIKEWAY from the City Hall along Chichester Street through the Law Courts to the Big Fish - this easy step would transform the City Centre by linking to existing arterial greenways and make it safe to cycle into and out of the City - especially for family groups. 2. Build a Bike Garage in the grounds of the City Hall a la Utrecht - what a statement this development would reflect and say about what sort of city our City Council and Linen Quarter really really want.. 3. Make lower Ormeau Avenue across to the Gasworks safe for bikes and pedestrians - its a death trap waiting to happen - impossible for bikers and bike tour groups to cross safely. For further details on these 3 easy developments and our extensive experience of cycling in your Quarter please contact me - Gary Sloan on my personal email garybones@me.com or at info@belfatcitybiketours.com - check us out on Tripadviser - Twitter - FB - Above all - DO SOMETHING EFFECTIVE SOON - before the City Centre dies - g
All of above
More tree planting along streets.
Park area... the city has no accessible green space other than city hall lawn which when you compare to other major regional cities (never mind a capital city) is really appalling
A more defined spine route linkage for pedestrians coming from the new Transport Hub to the opposite end of the Linen Quarter e.g. pedestrian prioritisation (overland crossing/subway) along a defined east-west route from the Transport Hub.
Planting, outdoor seating, make space for children. Bring Belfast businesses onto the streets and push cars out of the city centre.
Increases in cycle safety, the grid system makes for very dangerous cycling when drivers ignore the give way rules. Cameras at junctions would be good too, I've reported several instances of dangerous driving but the police can do little without camera footage.
Safe and weather protected cycle parking
Parklets, green spaces and trees dedicated cycle lanes & secure parking, pedestrian priority on junctions
Prioritise cycle and walking, places to sit and good street lighting
I think it should be made a zero emission zone with walking, cycling and public transport given priority
New Safer Paving along the path on Gt Victoria Street in from Glengall St to corner of Fitzwilliam Hotel
Public performance areas. free outdoor advertising for charities and art organisations
We are trying to encourage employees back to work in Belfast City Centre to support the local economy, but parking along Adelaide Street has now been halved. This is ridiculous the on-street parking along side streets were all full, as was the nearby off-road carpark. There is hardly anyone using Adelaide Street, and yet we can't get parked! Remove the ridiculous social distancing signs and open the closed off parking bays. How do you expect to improve retail/hospitality with no parking? And please don't say that there are spaces in the multi-story - that costs a fortune.
External dining
Outdoor/Sheltered, fixed seating. mini-transport hubs/ranks for taxis and hubs to avoid congregating.
Linen Quarter has been pioneering public realm projects in these times of the pandemic. The Brunswick street scheme enhances pedestrianized streets and creates opportunity for outdoors dining and social interaction in the urban space.
Public art with seating to appreciate it.
External dining and entertainment A general clean up and policing to maintain a safe atmosphere
Places to sit and shelter for young people because if our bad weather, many kids in the city like skateboarding but not many skate parks. Maybe try a temporary skate park for the kids. Would love a five a side football pitch in the city with seating for public to sit and watch games. Make street food massive in Belfast make it easier for small food entrepreneurs to start a street food cart, truck or stall anywhere. Out door gym in city free for public, pull up bars etc.. yeah more plants everywhere and on buildings to, and more covered streets because of our weather.
More external dining facilities, benches and other places to sit, All developments with consideration given to local ecology and including nature in a way that benefits wildlife and human well being
Widen pavements for external dining. Pedestrianisation of streets and areas like at the back of the crown bar. More trees, planters where possible Re-allocate the space from buses and cars to pedestrians where possible. Upper Queen street for example is simply a bus park and looks terrible.
More, secure bicycle parking to give confidence to those who do cycle and use active travel in to Linen Quarter that their bicycles will be safe. Potential discount scheme with cafes, restaurants or other businesses for those who use active travel or bicycle. Sustrans run a Pedal Perks scheme. Would be worth chatting to them on
planting / art / places to sit and shelter / more pavement space for social distancing / more opportunities for external dining
Lighting and transport at work times
All of the ideas listed above - including custome street art or large blank walls.
Better lighting, general neatness/tidyness and places to sit and shelter
Greater connectivity for peds and cyclists from the Transport Hub towards Amelia street.
All of the above (of course). Make it a safe and attractive place dominated by people not cars.
Making more areas car free
I think there is great potential for public space or even a dedicated green transport corridor along Ormeau Avenue (the area which contains a lot of surface level car parking). It could create a great connection from the gasworks/Lagan towpath. The area seems such a waste of space which could be transformed into an area for public transport, pedestrians and cyclists. This would also include improvements to public realm, something which is needed along Ormeau Avenue. I think lighting is also key in making people feel safe at night. Whilst external dining is a great idea for creating eyes on the street, it is also important to take our weather into consideration to ensure it is something which can be enjoyed all year round. I also think breathing colour into our streets is key and a simple way to create a lively and child friendly city. There is also a huge problem with transport in Bedford Street, particular at the Grand Central Hotel. Often I have been let off the bus into the middle of the road. Not only is is dangerous for pedestrians but also cyclist Lance who are often unseen by cars etc. It’s a hectic and unsafe area but could be easily fixed by reducing or even completely excluding private cars around the city centre. Give the streets back to the people and encourage sustainable transport!
Linenhall Street West fully pedestrianised and to be used as a social space, bike parking etc
More pedestrian areas...covered areas (open sides, rain protection)
Year round outdoor eating for cafes / restaurants - cover & heated etc. as per much of Europe.
More planting especially large mature trees to create 'avenue' feel, more seating areas, more opportunities for external dining
enhanced pavement areas. Spaces are currently wide in parts however the could be improved aesthetically.
Blackstaff Square has significant potential. However, work would need to be done to improve lighting and security as currently it can attract anti-social elements.
Places to sit
More art More pavements or pedestrian zones More play features More opportunities for external dining
Artisan shops (like Craft NI opposite Belfast library, record and book stores and clubs - extending from botanic into town - lighting - evening cafe/dining after 4.30 - cafes for people to gather after their weekend long runs or cycles - open mics and music - youth art). Pedestrianisation or at least single lane streets
Rain gardens, streer trees, segregated sitting areas to avoid sidewalk clutter making it easier for people with disabilities to access safely and highlighed seperate lanes for pedestrians and cyclists
Reclaiming streets back for human centred use - can be an example of truly 'building back better' as opposed to a turgid tick box exercise. This means that it should be open to ALL and not semi privatised for certain use - I.e. only being allowed to sit if you buy a drink etc.
More public spaces for social activity
Better lighting and better cycling facilities. There are no cycle lanes in the plans I have seen just widened pavements. Adequate shelter and places to sit under shelter would be good due to our weather
Play park
Dedicated cycle lanes, less on street car parking
more car charging more planting
Public transport improvements, unique lightening solutions particular in larger public spaces, plant boxes and trees to incorperate some feeling of nature, a statute and murals, Sheltered sitting areas, more bins, 20mph speed limit and yes, external dining opportunities.
secure and sheltered cycle parking possibly using empty units that could include lockers
I would make the buses go down different streets not main routes. Eg. 8a use Adelaide street/Clarence street and use the area at BBC (Linengall st West.) for a new bus lane/cycle lane. Id make the Dublin Road cycle clane permanent and extend it both directions 1, to meet up with new bus lane and 2, to join botanic or Bradbury place. Easy done with lights only for bikes. I'd use th 9ft in common project to ensure use and linkage of alleyways and maybe even use them for markets. The ormeau parklet needs extending to to a lot of new areas. We have got new parking in city centre with multi stories etc and not removed parking bays. More interlinked cycle lanes/routes by removing the parking bays. A dedicated shop for bike storage/repair, reusing the city centre derelict or empty shops for new purposes. Play and space features again important. Id start using derelict buildings and install sports facilities like in parks for free use. I'd even install courts for squash/tennis/football on top of buildings able to accommodate it. City centre living needs to be prioritised.
Improvement of Blackstaff square - Big potential to turn this square into a really good public space. Better use of empty surface car parks to the south of the site.
Incorporating more green infrastructure through rain gardens/SuDS
Parklets, cycle hub in Blackstaff Sq, east west protected cycle lane Blackstaff- Franklin- Hamilton st to link with future Transport Hub. Public space in car park on Linenhall st west more important than parking. On street parking should be actively discouraged, bring in a tax for all the city centre businesses that provide in curtilage parking use tax to fund improvements in pedestrian and cycling facilities and DDA Access improvements to make this key part of the city centre more universally accessible.
more pedestrianization, linenhall street is one of the most under utilized streets in the city, attractive old linen buildngs but no active frontages and outdoor seating areas, cars do not pass or drive through this street, it is mostly like a car park for cars and not a thoroughfare so should be pedestrianized, Amelia street square could also be utilized, too much
street clutter and obstacles for a pedestrian like signposts and bollards that serve no purpose, even the trees are in the way for walkers and would be unwalkable if you had walking or vision issues. It is a planning disaster. James street, franklin street and both streets on either side of grand central hotel could also have lightbulbs hanging from one side to the other, they look like dark alleyways and do not feel connected to bedford street. The whole area should have soft lighting above like hanging bulbs connecting one side of the street to the other from buildings, linenhall street w and clarence street included. If you walk down bedford street as a tourist or a local there is no desire to walk down the side streets, they look lifeless, and this outlook deters you from walking down these streets and going to restaurants and bars that exist here, as it looks and feels so disconnected, so it would be also have an economic impact.
Inclusion of mobility Hubs and cycle parking and storage
More planting, removal of or better bin storage, more litter bins
I am very much in favour of the urban park idea and the proposed new bridge - this kind of intrastructure would I believe drastically reduce the amount traffic entering the city centre
Lighting, greening, spaces for dwell and shelter, more pedestrian priority.
Perhaps some 'on-street' car parking spaces can be transformed into 'Parklets', these have worked very well along the Ormeau Rd. These could be designed to accomplish many of the topics above. - Having finished the survey I see this is already suggested. Also as the linen quarter is between both Queens and the new UU Belfast Campus, perhaps there could be something student orientated in the area. It is noticeable the lack of development for students, or rather the amount of vacant buildings, in the North West area of Belfast (BOI building, Telegraph building etc.) therefore where will these new UU students go?? The Linen Quarter's public realm could be transformed in a way to attract these students and provide an enormous boost for the localised economy.
More opportunities for external dining and places to sit and shelter during lunch. Some green spaces.
Brightly lit social spaces to be used for public entertaining, let's make it feel like culture night happens every night.
I'd love to see more plants on our streets.
Cycle lane use must be enforced . Too many cyclists chose to ignore them endangering children disabled and seniors. The police should ensure compliance within the cycling community. If there is a dedicated cycle Kane it should be an offence not to use it . Also that they have a bell and use it. Again we need the police to ensure they comply with this aspect of the Highway Code . If cycling is made to comply with the law then there will be more support for it.
I have seen proposals like this which focus on street scape, but say little about traffic. The Linen quarter could easily become a very pleasant nieghbourhood if you prevent through traffic and circualting traffic (those looking for parking). I mean examples like Barcelona Superblock or London Low Traffic Neighbourhood. More specifically, prevent Franklin street being used a shortcut to get from one side of the city to the other. Some bollards and one way systems would still allow access to every shop and office, but prevent traffic which has no business there. I find the junction of Frnaklin St and Alfred St. so dangerous that i haver stopped using the cycle lane on Alfred St. Please fix the mess that is Amelia Street. Prevent through traffic, and it could be a great space.
Put cycle lane in on Bedford Street (instead of the useless widened pavement) and continue it along Ormeau Avenue linking up with the gasworks. There is more than enough space, you would have a safe cycle path right into city a hall.
Creative/festoon lighting to make the streets safer and well lit. Heritage and culture trail Greenery
Need car parking spaces in that part of town as the public transport provision is laughably bad.
Provision of extended dedicated cycle lanes, more external dining taking over on street parking, places for people to linger rather than simply pass through
Places to sit and shelter plus external dining.
External dining and planting yes... But properly managed and maintained. Cyclists off the pavements as an absolute imperative. This needs to be about balance. Many people will continue to need to use cars, and the city cannot simply be handed to cyclists, many of whom aggressive and incompetent
- Increased lighting - Increased pedestrianisation - More opportunities for external dining - More street art - Entertainment space
More pavement space and more opportunities for external dining
Less car parking spaces and more parklets for cafes/bars etc. With new multi storey carpark so near by absolutely no need for many of these streets to have so many car parking bays.
A programme of external activities
Proper paving. More trees. E-charging points for electric cars
Enhanced lighting almost everywhere, cycle lanes. Street art done by local artists. More pavement space (although not done with gaudy orange barriers on the road) use of decorative lighting (festoon and exposed bulb lighting)
Places to sit and shelter
Stop through traffic using Hamilton St, Sussex Pl and Franklin St as an alternative to May St. Make most, if not all, streets in Linen Quarter one way in such a way that there is no incentive for rat running.
More places to sit, more chances to dine outside on pavement etc
The Linen Quarter benefits already from great enclosure and a sense of space, this could be further enhanced by the consistent provision of street trees throughout the Linen Quarter's grid network. I cannot stress the importance of street trees in improving the aesthetic and feel of an area, this is before any expensive public realm interventions are made. I fully support the pedestrianisation of some streets and widening of pavements as well as places to sit and spend time in the quarter. Lighting is also hugely important, inviting lighting schemes such as festoon lighting in pedestrianised streets and soft-white pavement level lighting combined with the aforementioned interventions could finally help to show this unique Belfast District in all its glory. If only one thing is to be taken from my input it is trees, trees & more trees. Thanks
More trees, especially more pine trees/evergreen trees, so the city would be greener even during winter months.
Informal places to sit, shelter & meet and for outside dining in a socially distanced way e.g. lots of parklets similar to the newly installed one on the Ormeau Road
Improved lighting. Not just street lights but things like in the cathedral quarter More seating More greenery
places to sit and shelter / more pavement space for social distancing / more opportunities for external dining
Greening and social spaces not necessarily connected to business use.
Economic & Social 5. “Pop-up� public realm schemes have been proposed at Brunswick Street, Linenhall Street and Adelaide Street: https://linenquarter.org/publicconsultation/ Do you think these schemes will: Improve footfall in the Linen Quarter? Number of responses: 116
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6. Improve retail and hospitality sales? Number of responses: 117
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7. Enhance the status of the Linen Quarter as a place to live, work, visit, or invest? Number of responses: 117
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8. Please include specific comments on these schemes in the box below: Number of responses: 42
Text answers:
As above, apply the planning policy to public realm proposals.Dint ignore the buildings/vacancy around the streets and protect the remaining historic character.... with approvals for damage to cathedral qtr this could be one of the city’s last chances to create a place people find historically and genuinely inviting to live work and visit....but I don’t hold out much hope for this unfortunately....
Simply put - you have to make these facilities accessible for cyclists and with bike parking - see comments in 4 above.
Pop up food stalls on London work great and encourage footfall
Pop-up schemes can somtimes be used as a way of avoiding more significant investment in an area. Designed with community input (workshops) they can be a positive.
Temporary changes will not get public buy in. If the council commit and enhance the public will also commit. This is proven in other cities
We need absolutely no more opportunities to drink in Belfast, this area and much of the city centre becomes a no-go zone after dark already.
Areas currently dominated with vehicle traffic circulating looking for parking no priority at junctions for pedestrian movements feels unsafe
Provide safe cycling access (not just white painted lines)
Pop up schemes to date have been very poorly thought out and haven’t properly engaged with key stakeholders. I think this needs to happen and better design incorporated if they are to be successful.
In London there is a place called silicon circle full of offices On Fridays they have traders that appear in an open space and most people in the offices have lunch as a treat from there. Creating alot of footfall. This might change though with Covid as maybe more people will work from home. I support traders there but not traders that would create excessive waste like Styrofoam containers, plastic forks, knifes. As rubbish will start to appear in the area. Zero waste traders should be welcomed. This rubbish issue was actually happening at the big fish when the council allowed traders Theresa the traders were not taking the blame but giving out alot of utensils that would become rubbish. The council then stopped the trading. Linen quarter did hold a climate change event so having a zero waste trading area would be the first of its kind. Ask the festival Stendhal how they did it Derry. They really want to show how it can be done.
Though temporary it's key that there is a well planned and thought out schedule of events and/or initiatives to encourage visitors.
In relation to the specifics of the master plan proposed for the Brunswick Street, the stage idea seems to be rather intrusive for the street in terms of its scale. However during the renovation process of the Opera House which will last a couple of years could be a handy alternative for the organisation of performances. In addition, it could be used during Culture night. Introduction of more green spaces very much encourages to help us breath some oxygen in a densely built urban space as well as provide shelter during rainy days.
There is little retail in the Brunswick Street area. Areas of seating in the inner Belfast area do not attract people on their own merit.
The square is a real opportunity to create a great social space if some investment amd policing too place
Good work need more of it
They need to be bold and people need to buy in to them. With the right advertising, marketing and promotions to encourage people to avail of the new measures they will be a great success.
brilliant
Have rain covers/heaters
Need to be carefully designed by placemaking professionals with input of residents, businesses and public. (i.e not just a few cones!). Also, funding needed to sustain events and activities - not simply build and they will come.
A scheme which includes outdoor stalls making it a ‘market area’ would be such a great focal point to enhance the atmosphere in the area
The schemes seem like a good initiative to encourage footfall in the Linen Quarter area. I think it also important to have areas which don’t serve such a ‘formal’ use I.e. areas which are just open to relax, sit and and have lunch etc. Trying to make these spaces a bit more “informal” where you feel you could go alone to the parklets etc and not feel awkward as
such. I specifically like the Brunswick project which incorporates colour. The use of plants, trees, vegetation in other schemes is also a stand out feature to me as Belfast is a city which lacks vegetation and green space in general.
temporary pop up public realm schemes seem like no more than a gimmick -footfall will only increase when there is a genuine reason spend extended time within the quarter e.g. more varied retail, especially indie shops. More people living in the area will need nearby convenience outlets to give a better reason to stop travelling by car to larger more distant superstores etc.. more social amenities also important like cafes, bars, music venues, comedy clubs, libraries, perhaps an attraction like a museum, art gallery. More quality public art would also help.
High streets were in trouble long before Covid - consumers are looking for something more social and experiential - and don’t respond to idea their duty to keep something alive that is on knees. People are curious - develop curious things for them to see and do together - over a cup of coffee or glass of wine - and they will come
Try to include native wildflowers as plantations, along with peremable pavements where new designs are being planned. Include rain gardens to seperate lanes and around street trees connecting the trees together. Consider sensor lighting to avoid light pollution at night especially with the aim to encourage people to live there.
Has a transport planner or similar professional been employed to look at wider proposals and the impact (both positive and negative it may have on all aspects of transportation). This may include confirmation analysis of footway width, cycle-lane provision and possibly more opportunities to reduce motorised vehicles in some sections. This would/could also allow Linen Quarter to more actively engage with DfI Roads on the Greenway (which I think is a great idea).
The novelty of these schemes alone will be enough to encourage people to come to these areas. Hopefully this in turn will encourage more hospitality businesses to move into the area.
Yes fully agree please make it happen and make sure there’s a landscape architect to sort out the planting
It is important to start to give priority to pedestrians and cycling and this will see the street thrive and will improve prosperity for bricks and mortar retailing and the vibrancy of the street. We need streets not roads.
I believe careful attention needs to be placed on family areas, and not merely creating outdoor drinking areas for the bars and clubs in the area.
I have seen some enterprising examples of these parklets in hotter European countries and work seamlessly by providing outdoor spaces to eat/congregate. How could this work best in Belfast, where it frequently rains or is cold? When visiting Krakow last Christmas they had larger glass structures which were heated internally, perhaps having temporary or movable coverings on these parklet ideas which you have suggested would be a good idea? Also there are some examples of rainwater parklets which I have came across in research, which feature a 'drainage regulation system', basically they gather rainwater, help purify it and then either use it for the flowerbeds in the structure or else return it to the system.
You have focused on street scape. Focus on removing unnecessary traffic and the entire area will benefit. Then pick natural areas to improve street scape and footfall would naturally increase. The whole linen could be so much nicer if you reduce unnecessary traffic.
This would j crease footfall as the streets included will be more welcoming instead of dull, grey streets, this will improve opportunity for the retail and hospitality sectors.
Nobody wants to be in town due to the misplaced panic over COVID. We have destroyed any chance we had of making this place better due to the stupidity of social distancing.
Brunswick Street in particular would benefit form a well designed public square with the surrounding bars and hotel facing in to it. People will stay in a space if it is considered and thought through
Visiting the city centre is no longer about retail but the experience of meeting friends and spending time together. During the winter months outdoor dining areas can be covered & heated (I've experienced similar in Paris) although this could also apply to summers in Belfast!
Once again this needs to be about balanced judgement. Belfast is not Nice or Cannes. The vehicle user must be respected and included also.
Makes it a more social space overall
The scheme must provide for the removal of all on street parking. There should be no invitation to drive to a central location well served by public transport and cycleways. There is a complete lack of green space. Introducing trees will reduce heat island effect and improve air quality. The whole area should be bounded by a continuous doorway, giving
drivers a strong visual clue they are entering an area where they do not enjoy supremacy over other road users. I feel that without these traffic interventions the proposed schemes will be doomed to mediocrity.
The Ormeau Urban Park is perhaps the most exciting development and is the scale at which Belfast needs to be reimagining how we use the city. The Brunswick Street Social would greatly add to the Linen Quarter and help to promote cafe culture within the City. The incorporation of a stage for possible live music is compelling and needed to add animation to the Blackstaff Square area. The Boardwalk and Parklet concepts would allow for people to enjoy the Linen Q for longer rather than simply walking through the area, the Ormeau Parklet demonstrates the mantra, 'build it and they will come', interventions such as those proposed will be no doubt greatly received by all residents of Belfast and visitors alike. The widening of pavements on Adelaide St and tree planting are long overdue and would further enhance this under-utilised street.
I use the cycle lane there atm and find it very dangerous. Cars and pedestrians don’t respect it and It requires infrastructure to make it safer and more obvious. Most people walking through this area are coming from Ormeau road area and the walk into town doesn’t flow. Eg extension from the gasworks into town would make it a much more pleasant and obvious choice for the public. I don’t support removing car spaces as there isn’t sufficient public traffic to justify this and the spaces are needed badly to access St. George’s Market.
All of the proposed interventions are excellent, the boardwalks and parklet being my favourites.
street food vans or sunday markey
Equalities Issues 9. Do you think any groups would be adversely impacted by these proposals? If so, can you suggest any mitigating factors that would help? Number of responses: 50
Text answers:
Crossings in the area should be raised to be level with the footpath for disability access and would also help regulate vehicle speed
Local businesses/residents will have their own points of view and should be consulted directly.
Cyclists - especially family groups - we don’t don’t permit people under the age of 12years to cycle on our bike tour as central Belfast is too dangerous - we have experienced ‘close-call’ traffic incidents involving our adult bike tourers at Fisherwick Place, Donegal Place, LinenHall Street directly behind the City Hall, lower May Street St. George’s Market, and Chichester Street across from the City Hall.
Food market would be inclusive
I would assume traders in the area have been consulted in the early plans for this?
No
People with mobility issues who need to park close by, or who get taxis. Dedicated bays for drop offs that are just for drop-off/pick-up and are policed by a camera or something similar to mitigate people misusing.
Low income families in the area, there should be more housing handed over to the housing executive or offered at a lower rate.
People with mobility issues and/or with sight issues. Both would be helped by having wide, clear and direct pathways, and ramps with no requirement to step or down onto any surfaces. Above all, it would help to engage with representatives of these groups. Cyclists may be adversely impacted by the pop-up stage idea. This would be mitigated by providing a built-in route for cyclists, but above all, engaging with Sustrans and other representatives of cyclists and cycling.
Good stakeholder engagement
Special consideration needs to be given to the needs of people with disabilities but I see no reason that their needs can't be accommodated along with these changes
No
No
On the contrary, it will probably encourage different socio-economic and age groups to get together and interact with each other in the urban public space.
N/A
No
Placement of outdoor dining areas and changes to the layout of the footways should be done with consideration for wheelchair users, sight impairments and other accessibility issues (these are wide ranging and incl seen and unseen (eg. Anxiety, autism, mobility issues). Any work done needs to consider improving the lives of people coming from so many different backgrounds while also accounting for how the local ecology can be protected, supported, and improved. Which will have knock on benefits for the well being of people.
Would be worth consulting IMTAC as there may potentially be issues with those who are not able-bodied getting around. Also some businesses may not be keen on taking away car parking as they may suggest it will be negatively affect trade. There is plenty of research out there to show that it doesn't. Cyclists spend more on the high street per head than someone else who travels using any other mode.
n/a
It also has to be an area that people can travel in and out relatively easy, be it for work or socialising, and so car drivers etc may be adversely impacted.
- Disabled parking will need planned. - Outdoor seating needs to allow safe passage past, esp for wheelchairs - Consider outreach and engagement with those vulnerable users & misusers of these streets (don't just move problems out)
I suppose the decked areas would just need to ensure that appropriate ramps etc are in place for those in a wheelchair. The surfaces would also need to be safe when wet eg older people or those with visual impairments could find it difficult.
People who won't walk the length of themselves..
No
Possibly disabled if their needs aren’t built into the planning - no reason why they can’t have their journey understood and accommodated
As long as there is nearby parkings and accessible bus stops, the changes wouldn't have a negative impact on people.
Make sure that disabled parking is provided
dont think so
as long as there was still accessability for those with disabilities then no.
As long as the parklets keep the footways clear, it should not affect those with mobility issues. Some of the outside dining along with signage severely limits the useable footway space.
It should be ensured those with mobility issues are not negatively impacted by the scheme.
No
Review tactile paving positions and ensure no conflict - realign if required.
No
I do believe the measures need to be put in place to support the numerous street drinkers and drug takers in the area, particularly on Dublin Road. creating an environment that merely moves them on, rather than supporting them will not be a solution. Support and outreach from the Welcome organisation and others should go hand in hand with these plans
I don’t think any group would be adversely impacted. In terms of accessibility there is parking on the street and in the immediate locale. More green rest/play space that is enjoyable to be in will benefit everyone and every business.
Perhaps in terms of the current pandemic, elderly groups within society will have to be convinced to return to social settings. Without a proper vaccine can this be remedied? I suppose its a pretty sad existence not returning to some kind of normality, therefore its very apt that you have included the idea of social distancing in your proposals. I recently had a lecture from a PHD student who was researching how partially sighted individuals move around a city. She stated that they tend to avoid streets with unnecessary amounts of street clutter (a-boards, bollards etc.), perhaps having advertising boards above head levels would mitigate this and help to include this user group (would also help those in wheelchairs and elderly groups).
No. I understand those with disabilities reject cycle lanes due to pedestrian conflict but I think there is a comprise with increased footways. Reducing pavement clutter will be a compromise for those with disabilities.
Don't be ridiculous
Disabled people can often be blocked by street signs, these should be minimised to maintain access
Car users and possibly disabled people
No
Drivers who don’t own a bike. Mitigation - loan them a bike!
No
Remember that blue badge drivers should only have priority over other drivers; their interests should not prevail over all other road users. Accessibility of multistorey car parks should be addressed with their interest at heart so they have priority parking at or near ground level.
Just ensuring access for all is a priority
I do not believe any groups would be adversely affected by the proposals, I firmly believe this change is long overdue and will be welcomed by all residents of Belfast.
St. George’s Market businesses if parking is removed
I don't believe any groups will be adversely impacted providing appropriate design standards are used. Discouraging through traffic and increasing space for walking and cycling should be a big positive for all.
Re-assign nearby standard in street parking spaces to blue badge spaces to make up for any blue badge spaces lost
10. I am responding as (tick all that apply): Number of responses: 116
Individual who lives or works in the Linen Quarter
Organisation based in the Linen Quarter
General public (outside Linen Quarter)
69 (59.48%)
Private sector
3rd sector or special interest group
Public Sector
Community representative or elected member
Times Chosen