In the wake of a Department for Regional Development Report indicating their preferred option for future transport planning to be a high class bus-based network, East Belfast was galvanised into action. 

Protestors attended a special meeting to co-ordinate their response, whilst others especially in the Cherryvalley area of Belfast, where unsure of how such proposals would affect them. Some believed that the department responsible would contact them to advise them of any direct impact on their communities, whilst others believed this to be wishful thinking.

One thing is known the route: it is proposed that the new bus service will run along the old Comber Railway line from Dundonald through East Belfast into the city. However, what isn't known is where the proposed stops are to be, whether there will be level crossings junctions or whether underpasses will be constructed, what their maximum speed will be and where appropriate how they will safe guard the route from children playing on it or in isolate areas from people being attacked on it...and that is just for starters!

Key stakeholders have been given six weeks to respond to this report, which is difficult if the people whom it will likely affect do not even know they are stakeholders.

To date it has been reported that the minister responsible has made no decision yet but whatever the transport options available to the minister is seems likely they will attempt to use this disused railway line which has just become a nature walkway.

Editorial

It is the view of cherryvalleyvillage.co.uk that residents should oppose these plans. Like other recent initiatives by our newly elected assembly they appear to be a spending exercise which no-one sees the need for, whilst ignoring issues affecting our communities.

From what has been described thus far a bus leaving Dundonald rather than proceeding down the bus lane on the Upper Newtownards Road would now divert along the Link Road to join up with the old railway line, but if the bus starts in Dundonald where do the passengers get on, other than the places already served by existing routes. If that is the case then these new buses could not exceed the current 30mph imposed on our existing buses. Furthermore, unless underpasses are built, the East of the City would have to come to a standstill to let these buses pass at level crossings or crossroads. In such circumstances, the traffic and the buses themselves could be stopping and starting the whole way into the city, making a nonsense of existing services still using bus lanes.

It is also not known whether other roads will be affected as at one time Kingsdale Park, just off the Kings Road in East Belfast was under threat of becoming a terminus for a new light railway.

All local residents now have until the 19th May 2008 to make your views known to our local politicians and we at cherryvalleyvillage.co.uk recommend you do. Below are the email address your will need to send your letter to: