Belfast traffic: Taxi firms in plea to John O'Dowd after minister says anti-congestion move will not happen until after Christmas

The plan has been touted as a way of easing the traffic congestion which has been choking parts of the city centre in recent months, and minister John O’Dowd has already announced a pilot scheme of the idea.

That announcement was exactly two months ago tomorrow, since when complaints about the traffic situation have only grown.

And this week in the Assembly Mr O’Dowd told MLAs that this pilot scheme will not be ready before Christmas.

Now a statement has been released from the Licensed Taxi Operators Association (LTOA) calling for urgent action on the issue.

The LTOA is an umbrella group to which many of Northern Ireland’s biggest taxi operators are affiliated, including Eastside, 365 Taxis, Mahoods, Value Cabs, and fonaCAB in the greater Belfast area.

Its statement said: “Wednesday, December 11, will be two months from when infrastructure minister John O’Dowd announced he was going to allow some taxis into certain bus lanes in Belfast to help alleviate the traffic congestion in and around the Great Victoria Street area in Belfast.

“In these two months, despite numerous members’ questions and requests to officials from the taxi industry as to details on the initiative, no specific information has been offered by the minister or officials from his department…

"We ask that the minister clarifies his position, and allows Class A taxis the use of all city centre bus lanes for a period of 12 months, starting as soon as possible.”

It added that “allowing Class A taxis the use of bus lanes might not solve the congestion problems, but it will help”.

Class A taxis are ones with signs on the roof and meters on display; they make up an estimated 5,300 of Northen Ireland's 7,000 or so taxis.

The LTOA statement concluded by saying that “traffic congestion in Greater Belfast appears that it is here to stay”, and that whilst the answer is to “reduce the number of private vehicles using the city and to improve and expand public transport” in the long term, “the city needs help now”.

On Monday, minister O’Dowd was asked about the scheme in the Assembly, and replied: “Will it be for Christmas? No. The consultation that I have do means that the legislation permitting taxis to use bus lanes will not be in place for Christmas.

"It will be after Christmas, and it will be a pilot scheme.”

Minister O’Dowd was then questioned again in the Assembly about the traffic problems today, and told MLAs to stop painting a picture of “chaos”.

He said: “Those who claim to have the interests of Belfast at heart would do well not to be broadcasting constantly: ‘There’s traffic chaos in Belfast.’

“If people in this room have genuinely the interest of Belfast at heart, then let’s have a sensible, informed conversation about what’s going on in Belfast and ensuring that those people who want to travel to Belfast to enjoy the sights and sounds of the festive season feel confident in doing so.

“Again, I say to members in this chamber, if you’re sending out a message that there’s chaos in Belfast, what message does that send to people who are wanting to come into the city to enjoy the sights and sounds of the city?”