Road closed in south Belfast after inspection confirms building to be 'unstable'

A SOUTH Belfast road has been closed to motorists and pedestrians after an emergency survey of a building found it was "unstable".

The inspection was carried out by Belfast City Council's Building Control team on Thursday and found the property, located on the Donegall Road at its junction with Donegall Avenue, was unsafe.

Police closed the busy route, which connects the city centre to the M1, on Thursday afternoon.

A PSNI spokesperson said the closure was "due to an unstable building in the area" and warned the closure was causing traffic queues, urging motorists to plan ahead and seek alternative routes.

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DUP councillor for the area Tracy Kelly told the Irish News that the building had previously been reported over concerns around its stability.

"It has lain derelict for many years, and we had previously reported it for an inspection by Building Control," she said.

"Recently the front of the building had been tidied up a bit, with tree growth removed, and the extent of the instability became obvious. An emergency survey confirmed the concerns highlighted by ourselves and the Greater Village Regeneration Trust.

She added: "The building will need to be demolished as soon as possible, as this is a very busy road that connects people not only to the motorway, but to both the Belfast City and Royal Victoria Hospitals. We also don't want to see anyone, pedestrian or motorist, placed in danger."