Northern Ireland

Mile long M1 bus lane extension now operational

The extension to the bus lane at the Blaris off-slip is operational from today. Picture from Department for Infrastructure
The extension to the bus lane at the Blaris off-slip is operational from today. Picture from Department for Infrastructure The extension to the bus lane at the Blaris off-slip is operational from today. Picture from Department for Infrastructure

AN EXTENSION to a Belfast-bound bus lane on the M1 motorway is to be operational from today.

It means the existing bus lane will stretch from Sprucefield Park and Ride into Belfast city centre.

The work, costing £1.1 million, sees the extension of the bus lane by more than a mile along the approach from Junction 8 at Blaris to Junction 7 at Sprucefield. It will operate from 7am to 7pm from Monday to Friday.

CCTV will monitor the bus lane, but other motorists are still allowed to use the hard shoulder in the event of an emergency.

The extension is part of a 7km addition to the bus lane network on the M1 and M2 which began in March last year.

Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon said: "The completion of this scheme is timely as we move into the Covid-19 recovery phase and more commuters are now returning to work.

"For people using public transport to travel to work this latest development will further improve journey times along this busy route into Belfast city centre."

The minister added: "I would also remind people using public transport that it is now mandatory to wear a face covering on buses as we all play our part in controlling the virus to protect ourselves and others."