Northern Ireland

Five months of roadworks to begin on Sydenham bypass in Belfast

From Wednesday, most of the work on the carriageway outside Belfast City Airport will be carried out overnight and at weekends, stretching citybound from the Tillysburn junction to the start of the M3

A £400,000 road improvement scheme will begin on Friday
Alternative routes will be clearly signposted during the resurfacing work, with drivers also urged to reduce their speed around road workers. (Getty Images/iStockphoto)
By Allan Preston

A five-month scheme to upgrade the Sydenham Bypass, one of Belfast’s busiest roads, is due to start on Wednesday.

Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd confirmed last week that the £3.8m resurfacing works will take place along the citybound lanes from Tillysburn junction to the start of the M3.

Most of the work is expected to take place under a series of overnight and weekend closures, but lane closures may also be required at other times.

Starting with overnight lane closures from 10pm to 6am on Wednesday and Thursday, a weekend road closure will be in effect from 10pm on Friday to 6am on Monday.

More details of the disruption will be released as the scheme progresses.

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Clearly posted diversions will be in place during any closures via the Holywood Road, Newtownards Road and Middlepath Street.

An alternative route will also be available via Holywood Exchange, Airport Road and the Sydenham Road.

Alternative routes will also be signposted for cyclists and pedestrians.

Mr O’Dowd said: “The Sydenham Bypass is a very busy and vital part of the road network linking east Belfast and North Down to the city centre and beyond.

“This is a substantial investment which will deliver significant benefits for businesses, commuters and the travelling public for many years to come.”

Thanking residents and road users for their patience during the “essential infrastructure work,” he also appealed for drivers to drive carefully around work areas and to obey temporary traffic controls to ensure the safety of workers.

Northern Ireland Minister for Infrastructure John O’Dowd wrote to the chief constable asking the police to intervene
Northern Ireland Minister for Infrastructure John O’Dowd wrote to the chief constable asking the police to intervene (Liam McBurney/PA)

The Department has also published their intention to stop-up two lengths of the bypass and prevent right turns at two locations.

These are the north-west side of the city bound carriageway opposite the pedestrian entrance to Sydenham Railway Station, and the south-east side of the country bound carriageway opposite the south-west entrance of the turning pocket leading to Belfast Yacht Club.

Road users, especially those travelling to Belfast City Airport, are advised to allow extra time for their journey and to follow the signposted alternative routes.

For more information about this and other improvement schemes visit www.TrafficwatchNI.com.