Austerity vs. Action: The £5,000 Dilemma of Belfast's Hill Street Pedestrianisation

In a recent development, plans to pedestrianise Hill Street in Belfast’s vibrant Cathedral Quarter are facing significant setbacks, with Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins attributing the delays to austerity measures imposed by the British government. The project, initially proposed to ban cars from this popular nightlife area, is estimated to cost around £5,000, a figure that has sparked criticism and debate among political factions.

During a recent assembly session, Kimmins expressed her commitment to the pedestrianisation plan but highlighted that her department struggles with staff shortages and competing business priorities due to 14 years of underfunding. The minister noted that a comprehensive cost estimate had not yet been completed, but indicated that the project could proceed if it were prioritized.

This comes amidst criticisms from Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) representatives, particularly Phillip Brett, who labeled the reliance on austerity excuses as “frankly ridiculous”. He pointed out that the relatively small amount needed for the pedestrianisation project is overshadowed by other spending decisions made by the minister, such as an investment of £150,000 in Irish language signage at Grand Central Station.

Historically, Hill Street was pedestrianised temporarily during the Covid-19 pandemic but the plans for a permanent closure have been stalled since a previous minister, John O’Dowd, announced in September that the proposal was on hold. Now, with Kimmins at the helm since February, she is exploring options to move the project forward while appeasing various stakeholders involved.

In summary, the story underscores the intersection of funding, political rivalry, and urban planning as Belfast’s Hill Street waits for crucial pedestrianisation, caught in the crosshairs of budget constraints and political maneuvering.