Concert goers encouraged to pre-book public transport this weekend
Police in Belfast are reminding motorists that it is illegal to stop or park on the hard shoulder of motorways after several motorists were issued with penalty tickets for this offence last weekend.
The issues arose after concerts took place at Boucher Road in the south of the city, when large numbers of people were making their way home from the venue.
Chief Superintendent Jeremy Lindsay, area commander for Belfast, said: “It appears that motorists were stopping to collect concert goers on the M1 Motorway and its slip roads.
“The hard shoulder is neither a safe place to park, nor is it legal. It is for emergency use only. Our officers issued several motorists with penalty tickets, and many more were moved on by roads policing.
“Fixed penalty tickets can also be issued to pedestrians for walking on motorways and hard shoulders. Officers observed pedestrians walking along the hard shoulders and on-slips to meet their lifts and had to stop them from doing so for their own safety. This is an extremely dangerous practice which must stop.
“This weekend sees another music festival in Belfast, and organisers will have traffic restrictions in place. The area in and around the M1 at Stockmans Lane junction, Stockmans Lane and Boucher Road will be extremely busy.
“We would urge all those attending to make their travel arrangements in advance. Make sure your pick up point is in a safe place.
“We want people attending to have a great night and to remember these events for all the right reasons.”
People attending the Emerge Festival at Boucher Road in Belfast this weekend are being advised to pre-book their public transport.
Tickets for special services will be available ONLINE ONLY and passengers can use their ticket to travel to the event on any scheduled service. Please retain your ticket for the return journey. Rail tickets will be valid on Metro and Ulsterbus services on the day of the event.
Travelling from the Portadown line – A bus substitution service will operate from Lisburn Train Station to Belfast and connect with normal scheduled Metro and Ulsterbus services operating along the Lisburn Road to Kings Hall/ Balmoral.
Travelling from other lines across the network – Travel into Belfast Lanyon Place Train Station and make your way to the City Centre to connect with normal scheduled Metro and Ulsterbus services operating along Lisburn Road to Kings Hall/ Balmoral.
Full details of the event transport are available on the website: translink.co.uk/events
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