The first steps in the public consultation exercise for the proposed one-way traffic system around the Mall in Armagh will be taken next week, Armagh I can reveal.
The public are being invited to come along to a public information event which will be held in the Market Place Theatre.
It is due to take place between 10am and 5.30pm on Thursday, February 12.
And as exclusively revealed by Armagh I last year, the plans will also include one-way traffic flow along part of College Street and Victoria Street.
We previously reported the traffic system will move in a clockwise direction around the Mall.
As our map shows, traffic in College Street and Victoria Street will also be one-way to its junction with Tower Hill.
Armagh City and District Council has endorsed the plans brought forward by Transport NI – at the same time pledging to continue to pile on pressure to see link roads built.
The one-way system is aimed at tackling congestion across the city centre.
The event in the Market Place Theatre is the first part of the consultation process.
As the DRD previously told Armagh I, it had originally been planned to ‘trial’ the system, possibly during the summer.
Speaking after a meeting at which it was agreed to endorse the one-way system, an Armagh Council spokeswoman told Armagh I: “In 2009 the Armagh City Masterplan concluded that, not only did Armagh need the west and east link roads as soon as possible, but there was also a need to improve the internal road network, particularly around the Mall in the centre of the city.
“This was necessary to ensure that the city had a modern safe transport system, traffic congestion was reduced as much as possible, pedestrian and cyclist access was improved and that the city created an environment to allow businesses to expand and new businesses to develop.”
The spokeswoman confirmed that the council had been working closely with Transport NI since that time and had helped co-fund the research and options appraisal process for improvements to the internal road network.
She added: “We are pleased to see the research process now reaching a conclusion and that a safe, workable and modern traffic system in the city centre could become a reality.
“The council will be considering co-funding the new traffic system on the basis of economic development and, following a consultation exercise with the people of Armagh on the proposals.
“We would ask all the citizens of Armagh to engage with the consultation process now being organised for the new traffic management system around the Mall.”
Armagh I received a copy of a proposed road layout for the one-way system late last year and put it to TransportNI.
And TransportNI confirmed at that time that it was under consideration.
A spokesperson told Armagh I: “The plan for the one-way system is for it to extend up College Hill to Tower Hill, over Tower Hill and down Victoria Street.
“Drumadd Road, Victoria Road and the bottom end of College Hill – from Tower Hill to Deans Bridge – are all two-way traffic and the plan is that they will remain that way.”
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