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Belfast Telegraph
a day ago
- Automotive
- Belfast Telegraph
Major crash still causing severe disruption on M2 as Belfast braces for weekend of traffic chaos
There has been a serious collision on the M2 leaving Belfast just after York Street. The motorway has now been completely closed at York Street. It comes on a weekend when work on the M3 Bridge is set to cause disruption for motorists. According to the Department for Infrastructure, the M2 motorway is completely obstructed with no traffic able to pass. 'This is also likely to have a significant knock-on effect on the city centre diversion route for the M3 bridge closure as traffic backs up,' it added. TrafficWatchNI said the M2 'is currently at a standstill' after the multi-vehicle collision. At 11.50pm, the DfI said one lane had been reopened, however, there are still long delays. Separately, there has been disruption to the Belfast to Bangor train line this morning. At least one service has been cancelled. Translink had said a number of services between Belfast and Bangor would be affected due to a broken-down train. It later said some services had been reinstated. It came as an SDLP councillor warned the M3 bridge works could lead to a 'full weekend of disruption' and called for last minute measures to alleviate the issue. North Belfast councillor Carl Whyte said he fears the second phase of a £400k maintenance project on the M3 bridge could lead to 'lengthy delays'. The closure will be in force on the westbound carriageway of the bridge from 9pm on Friday August 15 until 6am on Monday August 18.' Why is the M3 closed this weekend ? As a result, the M3 itself will be closed from Bridge End to M2 Foreshore and there will be no access to the bridge from the A2 Sydenham Bypass. Traffic will be required to leave at Bridge End Flyover. No access to the M3 will be available from Middlepath Street on-slip during this period, with diversions in place. A similar closure at the start of the month caused traffic chaos across the entire weekend in Belfast, with long queues forming at pinch points across the city. On top of the work taking place, there is expected to be further congestion in the city with several road closures to accommodate the multi-cultural Mela carnival. Mr Whyte said: 'This will lead to lengthy delays for motorists in what is set to be a busy weekend in the city, with a series of large events taking place and people enjoying the good weather. 'There were scenes of absolute chaos in our city two weekends ago due to a similar closure, but it once again appears that the Infrastructure Minister and her department have failed to learn any lessons about the impact of these closures and the knock-on impact this work will have. 'While this work does need carried out, there is no extra public transport services to alleviate congestion, no contraflow system in operation and no clear plan from DfI or the police, about how they plan to manage the inevitable gridlock in east and north Belfast. 'With over 90,000 vehicles using this route daily and major events taking place in the city this weekend, the Minister and department must explain why they continue to fail to learn the lessons from past traffic gridlock.' The Department for infrastructure have urged motorists to plan their journey in advance this weekend. 'During this time [Friday to Monday] the M3 will be closed from Bridge End to M2 Foreshore and there will be no access to the bridge from the A2 Sydenham Bypass with all traffic required to leave at Bridge End Flyover,' a DfI spokesperson said. 'If you are travelling to Belfast International Airport or north or west please ask yourself do you need to drive across Belfast or can you take another route such as via the A55 outer Ring. 'If you are travelling into the city to enjoy some shopping or leisure , or if you are attending an event at Custom House Square or Belfast Mela, remember to factor the bridge closure into your travel plans. "Allow extra time, look at the alternative routes or consider using public transport if you can. You can plan your public transport journey at 'The Department would like to thank the travelling public for their patience and cooperation while these important bridge safety works are completed.'
Belfast Telegraph
a day ago
- Automotive
- Belfast Telegraph
Multi-vehicle crash causes severe disruption on M2 as Belfast braces for weekend of traffic chaos
There has been a serious collision on the M2 leaving Belfast just after York Street. It comes on a weekend when work on the M3 Bridge is set to cause disruption for motorists. According to the Department for Infrastructure, the M2 motorway is completely obstructed with no traffic able to pass. 'This is also likely to have a significant knock on effect on the City Centre diversion route for the M3 bridge closure as traffic backs up,' it added. TrafficWatchNI said the M2 'is currently at a standstill' after the multi-vehicle collision. It said the crash affected all five llanes between York Street and Fortwilliam. Separately, there has also been disruption to the Belfast to Bangor train line this morning. At least one service has been closed. It came as an SDLP councillor has warned the closure of a part of a major Belfast road could lead to a 'full weekend of disruption' and called for last minute measures to alleviate the issue. North Belfast councillor Carl Whyte, said he fears the second phase of a £400k maintenance project on the M3 bridge could lead to 'lengthy delays'. The closure will be in force on the westbound carriageway of the bridge from 9pm on Friday August 15 until 6am on Monday August 18.' Why is the M3 closed this weekend ? As a result, the M3 itself will be closed from Bridge End to M2 Foreshore and there will be no access to the bridge from the A2 Sydenham Bypass. Traffic will be required to leave at Bridge End Flyover. No access to the M3 will be available from Middlepath Street on-slip during this period, with diversions in place. A similar closure at the start of the month caused traffic chaos across the entire weekend in Belfast, with long queues forming at pinch points across the city. On top of the work taking place, there is expected to be further congestion in the city with several road closures to accommodate the multi-cultural Mela carnival. Mr Whyte said: 'This will lead to lengthy delays for motorists in what is set to be a busy weekend in the city, with a series of large events taking place and people enjoying the good weather. 'There were scenes of absolute chaos in our city two weekends ago due to a similar closure, but it once again appears that the Infrastructure Minister and her department have failed to learn any lessons about the impact of these closures and the knock-on impact this work will have. 'While this work does need carried out, there is no extra public transport services to alleviate congestion, no contraflow system in operation and no clear plan from DfI or the police, about how they plan to manage the inevitable gridlock in east and north Belfast. 'With over 90,000 vehicles using this route daily and major events taking place in the city this weekend, the Minister and department must explain why they continue to fail to learn the lessons from past traffic gridlock.' The Department for infrastructure have urged motorists to plan their journey in advance this weekend. 'During this time [Friday to Monday] the M3 will be closed from Bridge End to M2 Foreshore and there will be no access to the bridge from the A2 Sydenham Bypass with all traffic required to leave at Bridge End Flyover,' a DfI spokesperson said. 'If you are travelling to Belfast International Airport or north or west please ask yourself do you need to drive across Belfast or can you take another route such as via the A55 outer Ring. 'If you are travelling into the city to enjoy some shopping or leisure , or if you are attending an event at Custom House Square or Belfast Mela, remember to factor the bridge closure into your travel plans. "Allow extra time, look at the alternative routes or consider using public transport if you can. You can plan your public transport journey at 'The Department would like to thank the travelling public for their patience and cooperation while these important bridge safety works are completed.'
Belfast Telegraph
07-08-2025
- Belfast Telegraph
Road closures announced as part of £660k east Belfast resurfacing project
The Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins confirmed the details of the project in the Short Strand area of the city. The £663k scheme will begin on Friday August 22 and involve carriageway resurfacing between the Albertbridge Road and Bridge End and a section of the A23 Mountpottinger Road past the Translink Bus Station. The Sinn Fein minister said it represents a 'significant investment' for the Short Strand area. "Once completed, the resurfacing will improve the structural condition of the road and enhance safety for all who travel through this busy area of east Belfast. "I would like to thank road users and the local community in advance for their patience and understanding while these essential works are carried out.' As part of the works there will be weekend road closures in the area. The department said Short Strand will be fully closed: From 8pm on Friday 22 August until 6am on Monday 25 August From 8pm on Friday 29 August until 6am on Monday 1 September From 8pm on Friday 12 September until 6am on Monday 15 September. A spokesperson said that during these closures, signed diversion routes will be in operation as follows: For traffic travelling from Albertbridge Road to Bridge End: via Albertbridge Road – Newtownards Road – Bridge End. For traffic travelling from Bridge End to Albertbridge Road: via Bridge End – Oxford Street – East Bridge Street – Albertbridge Road. 'The Department for Infrastructure has programmed the works and associated traffic management to minimise disruption as much as possible,' they added, "Road users are advised to allow extra time for their journeys during these periods. Local access will be maintained via the diversion. 'The resurfacing programme is expected to be completed by mid-September 2025. All work is subject to favourable weather conditions and any changes to the schedule will be published in advance on the TrafficWatchNI website:
Belfast Telegraph
04-08-2025
- Climate
- Belfast Telegraph
Flights cancelled as Storm Floris begins to batter NI with 70mph gusts but how long will stormy conditions last?
The Met Office has warned Storm Floris will bring gusts of up to 50mph widely across the country, with up to 70mph winds in some places. As a result, a several flights arriving into Belfast City Airport have been cancelled, including the 9.15am Edinburgh flight, the 9.40am from Leeds Bradford and the 9.50am from Birmingham. This morning TrafficWatch NI also confirmed due to wind speeds there is now a ban on high sided vehicles from using the Foyle Bridge in Londonderry. A yellow warning for wind is set to conclude at midnight on Monday. It had initially been due to end at 6am on Tuesday. Floris is the first storm to hit the UK and Ireland since Storm Eowyn in January, which sparked a rare red warning here. The Met Office said: 'Storm Floris will bring a spell of unusually windy weather for the time of year across the northern half of the UK on Monday. 'The highest winds are expected across Scotland between late morning and early evening. In some areas high winds will be accompanied by heavy rain. Wind will then slowly start to ease from the west later. 'Across the warning area, many inland areas are likely to see gusts of 40 to 50 mph with 60 to 70 mph possible along exposed coasts and high ground, especially Scotland.' Storm Floris to bring 'unseasonably strong winds' to parts of UK While the country is being hit by stormy conditions today, as the week goes on the weather will improve with temperatures expected to rise. The Met Office has forecast temperatures to increase, with Tuesday ranging between 12C and 19C. On Wednesday, a maximum of 21C is to be expected with a chance of showers on Thursday morning. Light winds will prevail throughout the week with strong gusts of up to 39mph slowly decreasing as the weekend approaches. Saturday will see sunny intervals and mild temperatures with a small chance of rain throughout the day. The Met Office said Storm Floris' gusts could reach 85mph on exposed coasts or hills in Scotland. An amber weather warning is in place for the majority of Scotland between 10am and 10pm on Monday. Train operator LNER has warned passengers not to travel north of Newcastle on Monday. Services are likely to be impacted in Lancaster, Oxenholme, Penrith, Carlisle, Lockerbie, Motherwell, Haymarket, Glasgow Central and Edinburgh. Motorists in those regions have been urged to slow down in the poor weather and avoid Highland and coastal routes. Shaun Jones, of the AA breakdown service, said: 'If you're planning a journey – especially through exposed or rural areas – it's worth checking the latest forecast, allow extra time, and be prepared for the unexpected.' In the Republic, Irish forecaster Met Éireann has issued Status Yellow weather warnings, which are due to come into effect from early tomorrow morning. The forecaster issued a wind warning for counties Clare, Galway, Mayo and Sligo, valid from 2am tomorrow until 1pm. Another such alert was announced for counties Cavan, Donegal, Monaghan and Leitrim, in place from 4am until 4pm tomorrow. Storm Floris is the sixth named storm of the 2024-25 naming season, which runs from early September to late August.
Belfast Telegraph
29-07-2025
- Automotive
- Belfast Telegraph
M1 crash scene cleared after incident causes 11-mile backlog between Belfast and Lisburn
Traffic was at one stage backed up for over 11 miles, spanning from Saintfield in Lisburn to York Street in Belfast. Cameras on Traffic Watch NI showed a large backlog of traffic along the Westlink and M1. In a brief statement, Traffic Watch posted: 'Lisburn - Road Users are advised of an on going incident on the Hard Shoulder of the M1 heading West Bound after the Jct 6 Saintfield Rd On Slip. 'PSNI are in attendance. Please approach with caution' News Catch Up - Tuesday 29th July 2025 In a statement, a PSNI spokesperson said the incident was a 'damage only road traffic collision'. It has since been cleared and traffic has returned to normal.
