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Projects and Improvements

NEWTOWNARDS PARK & RIDE

Translink is proposing a 450-space Park and Ride facility to enhance access to public transport in the Newtownards area.

This new facility is designed to meet the increased demand from passengers travelling between Newtownards and Belfast while also meeting environmental standards in line with Translink’s commitment to enhance and protect the local landscape and biodiversity.

The proposed 450-space tarmacked parking area includes 22 disabled access parking spaces and will be complemented with landscaping, boundary fencing, cycle shelter, floodlighting and CCTV surveillance, building and associated development and general site works on the former Ards Leisure Centre site.

Improving access to public transport and moving towards other sustainable modes of transport, such as cycling and walking, will be critical for the economic and social well-being of Northern Ireland, helping to drive People, Planet and Prosperity. Increasing the usage of these sustainable modes of transport can reduce congestion and pollution levels in towns and cities, helping us to reduce dependence on the private car and move towards a place of climate resilience.

Pre-Application Community Consultation (PACC)

The Translink Team consulted with local residents and key stakeholders throughout 2022 to introduce the project and gain feedback on the proposals as part of the Pre-Application Community Consultation process. A public information day on the project took place on Wednesday 1st June 2022 in the Strangford Arms Hotel, Newtownards.

This event provided the opportunity for local residents and stakeholders to meet the project team and ask any questions they had regarding the project.

The PACC process allows us to receive feedback from the local community and helps to inform the design of the proposal before submitting a planning application to Ards and North Down Borough Council.

Following the completion of the PACC process, we are now moving forward with the submission of a planning application for this Park and Ride. As part of the planning application, normal neighbourhood notification will be undertaken by Ards and North Down Borough Council and details of the application will be available to view on the NI Planning Portal. Following the submission of this application, you will also have the opportunity to make formal representations to the Council regarding the proposal.

Project Summary

  • Provision of a new 450 space tarmacked free car park to include 22 disabled access parking spaces;
  • Designed to meet increased demand for passengers travelling from Newtownards to Belfast ;
  • Bounded by William Street, Hardford Link and Corry Street, located on the grounds of the former Ards Leisure Centre site and accessed via a new right-hand turning pocket on William Street and Corry Street;
  • Kept safe and secure through the provision of floodlighting and CCTV surveillance as well as boundary fencing;
  • Designed to meet high environmental standards in line with Translink’s commitment to enhance and protect the local landscape and biodiversity;
  • This project will have an 18 month construction period following planning approval being obtained from the council.

Benefits of Park and Ride

  • Save money;
  • Will meet high environmental standards in line with Translink’s commitment to enhance and protect the local landscape and biodiversityReduce your journey time;
  • Additional parking spaces make it more convenient to utilise public transport connections;
  • Cycle shelter ensures multi-modal transport options;
  • Allows for at least part of the journey to be made without a car, thereby reducing congestion and pollution in towns and cities;