New legislation to ease Chapel Hill congestion

Updating councillors on their programme of works at the Planning Committee meeting this month Mr John Irvine, the Divisional Roads Manager for the Eastern Division, told Councillors that new legislation will be introduced restricting parking of any kind along Chapel Hill, with enforcement action now to be taken against those parking in the congested area.

Plans are also in motion for a loading bay at the top of Chapel Hill, which will cater to businesses in the area.

Plans for a cycle lane along Chapel Hill have also been programmed.

Mr Irvine stated: “With regards to Chapel Hill, we are aware of the congestion and are now moving toward parking restrictions where there will be no parking.”

He added: “We are looking at a loading bay at the top of the street so that businesses are not affected.”

Alderman Paul Givan said he welcomed the news about Chapel Hill. Responding to the news, Cllr Ronnie Crawford commented: “Chapel Hill has been a long running issue. Any time we are out on Bow Street we are asked the same question: ‘What’s the council doing about it?’ This has been a long running thing. I really would like to know why the painting of a yellow line of 20 yards takes as long as the John Lewis planning application?”

Mr Irvine replied: “At the minute there is a working day restriction, under the new restriction there will be no parking whatsoever, which can be enforced.”

Mr Irvine added, however, that upon going through the legislative process there can be objections, which can “stymie the process.”