TITANIC Quarter and Queen’s Island commuters, residents and visitors can now benefit from a new pedestrian walkway, cycleway and road that provides easier access to the area and increases opportunities for active travel.
The extension to Hamilton Road connects Queen’s Road and Sydenham Road and, in addition to implementing new cycle lanes, the route will encourage more people to cycle in Titanic Quarter by housing the district’s fourth Belfast Bikes station, known as ‘Titanic Quarter Railway Halt’.
Hamilton Road is one of a series of joint initiatives between Titanic Quarter Ltd and Belfast Harbour in a significant £3 million co-investment to encourage active and sustainable travel and improve the connectivity of Titanic Quarter and Queen’s Island to other areas of Belfast and beyond.
Both organisations have a shared vision to continue the development of an iconic, sustainable waterfront destination. The introduction of improved pedestrian and cycle routes will encourage active travel and reduce the reliance on the private motor car.
The investment project has also included the upgrade of existing pedestrian and cycling infrastructure from Victoria Park to Dee Street roundabout following engagement with partner organisations including Sustrans, Eastside Partnership and the Department for Infrastructure.
Joe O’Neill, chief executive of Belfast Harbour, said: “Our aim is to make Queen’s Island more sustainable and this investment is an important step in ensuring that travel to and from Queen’s Island reflects this focus on sustainable construction and development which has been adopted in this part of the city.
“Belfast Harbour and Titanic Quarter Ltd are working together to play our part in the wider vision of making Belfast a progressive, green and Smart city.”
Belfast lord mayor Michael Long said: “I'm delighted that the extension to Hamilton Road includes a new Just Eat Belfast Bikes station which will in turn promote both active and sustainable travel in Belfast. The Belfast Bikes project has been hugely successful in the last seven years and will undoubtedly continue to create a better connected, low carbon, climate resilient city.”
James Eyre, commercial director at Titanic Quarter Ltd, said: “The opening of Hamilton Road is an important step in developing our vision of making Titanic Quarter an iconic, sustainable waterfront destination. Along with Belfast Harbour, we continue to work with all stakeholders to ensure that this investment encourages active and sustainable travel.”
