MOTORISTS received warnings for parking in new 12-hour 'Glider' bus lanes as they came into force in west Belfast yesterday.
The restrictions are being phased in across the city ahead of the full introduction of the Belfast Rapid Transit service on September 3 to give drivers a chance to get used to them.
However, some drivers complained there has not been enough advance warning about the changes and that rules surrounding the lanes are unclear.
They have begun operating from 7am to 7pm Monday to Saturday on the Stewartstown Road, Andersonstown Road, Falls Road and Divis Street.
Lanes between East Bridge Street and Dunlady Road in east Belfast will be introduced next week, followed by those in the Belfast Harbour Estate and city centre on August 6.
The Glider buses will hold up to 105 people and will run approximately every seven to eight minutes.
The lane restrictions include a loading and unloading window between 10am and 2pm, while vehicles with a blue badge will be allowed to stop for up to 10 minutes to drop-off or pick up a blue badge holder.
Funeral corteges are also allowed to use the lanes, which the Department for Infrastructure said would create a "safer environment" for people to walk behind the hearse.
A spokesperson said: "Like with most new schemes, there will be a two week, one-strike warning-period during which time drivers parking illegally in these bus lanes will be issued with a warning notice."
The bus lanes were recently criticised by the owners of the Little Mexican Deli on the Falls Road, which said it was closing due to the parking restrictions that will hit its customers.
“There is only one reason we’ve been forced to close and that is the 12 hour bus lane that will be operational within the next month. This has been the hardest decision we’ve ever had to make but the impact of losing over 40% of or trade would completely ruin our business," they said.
Retail NI has called for the Department of Infrastructure to be more flexible.
Chief executive Glynn Roberts said: “Given that we have had one trader closing his business on the Falls Road and a number of other concerns in east Belfast over the loss of parking, we would urge the Department for Infrastructure to reconsider enforcement of the bus lanes in the peak rush hour times in the morning and evening, rather than over the 12-hour period.
“With a little of flexibility, we can ensure no independent trader is negatively impacted."
