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PDF Document File Size
The Inspector's Report:
The Inspector's Report 2.1 MB
    Summary Considerations and     Recommendations 3.2 MB
Departmental Statement:
Departmental Statement 3.2 MB
Notice to Proceed:
Notice to Proceed 575 KB
Designation Order:
Designation Order 41 KB
Designation Order Maps  
    Map 1: General Arrangement 3.2 MB
    Map 2: Trunk Road T1 2.4 MB
    Map 3: Trunk Road T3 2.6 MB
    Map 4: Trunk Road T7 2.4 MB
    Map 5: New Connecting Roads 2.3 MB
Press Release:
Press Release (15 Nov 2016) 13 KB
Ministerial Statement:
Ministerial Statement (15 Nov 2016) 10 KB
Vesting Order (draft):
Draft Vesting Order Maps  
    Map 1 1 MB
    Map 2 370 KB
Environmental Statement:
Environmental Statement (2015)  
Project Assessment Review (PAR) Report Nov.20:
    Project Assessment Review    (PAR) Report Nov.20 5MB
Placemaking and Active Travel Review (PATR) Oct.22:
    PATR Report (Main Body) 8MB
    PATR Report (Annex A) 32MB
    PATR Report (Annex B) 41MB
    PATR Report (Annex C) 63MB
    PATR Report (Annex D) 22MB

Update: 14th August 2023


Department for Infrastructure has published a prioritised list of major road schemes that will continue to be progressed.

The Department’s statement can be viewed here:
Prioritisation of the Major Roads Programme - FAQs | Department for Infrastructure (infrastructure-ni.gov.uk)

Work will continue to complete the next steps in the placemaking and active travel review of the scheme, which is expected to be completed this winter. At this point, the scheme’s development will be paused.

Any decision on subsequent progression of the scheme will be made once the Department’s emerging transport policies and plans have been developed to a sufficient stage. A decision to proceed would require confirmation of funding.

Update: 7th June 2023


Following the publication of the Placemaking and Active Travel Review report in October 2022, the Department and its consultants AECOM will deliver a presentation to interested members of the public on the completed process and next steps for the scheme.

The presentation will be delivered at the Ulster University in Belfast (see venue map below) on the following dates:

• Thursday 22nd June 2023 at 7pm, Ulster University Block BC
• Friday 23rd June 2023 at 7pm, Ulster University Block BC

Spaces are limited and interest may be high, so please register your attendance by scanning the QR barcode with your smartphone camera. If you are unable to access the QR code, you can alternatively follow the link below.

QR code Register

For those unable to attend the presentation, the Department has summarised the information that will be covered in the attached pdf, which can be downloaded by clicking on the PDF icon.

PDF document

map

Update: 11th October 2022


O’Dowd publishes the Placemaking and Active Travel Review report for the York Street Interchange project

Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd has today published the Placemaking and Active Travel Review (PATR) report for the York Street Interchange project.

The PATR report identifies a number of options to enhance placemaking and
improve active travel provision around the area of the York Street Interchange project.

Publishing the report today Minister O’Dowd said:

"Publication of this Placemaking and Active Travel Review report
once again highlights my commitment to see the York Street Interchange
project delivered.

This Strategic Road Improvement scheme will provide a grade separated interchange to replace the existing at-grade signal controlled junction of the A12 Westlink, M2 and M3 alleviating traffic congestion in the area. It is also significant to our future economic and societal wellbeing.

In taking the project forward it is important to take account of our changing environment and aim to maximise the social, economic and environmental benefits of the scheme and its contribution to the future development of Belfast. That is why in the summer of 2020 an Independent Assurance Review of the project was commissioned to determine the project’s ability to deliver better connectivity, improve health and wellbeing, tackle the climate crisis and to ensure it is future proofed.

This latest PATR addresses some of the recommendations from that review while incorporating further work undertaken particularly around placemaking.

I see the publication of this report as the crucial next step in the York Street Interchange project. It will allow public debate and engagement. Not everyone will agree with the three shortlisted options in the report. However, I would encourage people, elected representatives and community organisations, particularly in the areas most affected, to engage with my officials as they work to refine those options and explore any implementation issues. This stakeholder engagement will help to deliver for communities, connectivity and the wider living places agenda."

The PATR report is available at the links to the right of this page.

Update: 26th March 2021


Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon has announced proposals to address the recommendations from the review of the York Street Interchange scheme.

The six recommendations were:
1. The YSI project brief should be reviewed and revised to ensure it aligns with the concept of “place making” and new best     practice in terms of urban transport design, and with the Minister’s agenda.
2. The wider area impact and benefits of the Project should be evaluated using appropriate quantitative and
    qualitative assessment mechanisms.
3. The current Project costs should be updated to act as a benchmark to inform any decision on future alternative     development.
4. There needs to be a system of ongoing communications with all interested parties. This should include updating the
    2017 Communications Strategy and employing a robust Communications Structure now as well as during any     construction phase. Communications should be ongoing and not just point in time.
5. There needs be much closer co-ordination both within the DfI and between DfI and other relevant departments and     interested parties at both policy and delivery levels with regard to YSI development and delivery.
6. There needs to be a co-ordinated decision made in the context of emerging policies, which then needs to be applied to     ensure that the YSI project aligns to this context.

Further details are provided here:
www.infrastructure-ni.gov.uk/news/mallon-announces-outcome-review-york-street-interchange-scheme


Update: 27th July 2020


Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon has provided an update on next steps for the York Street Interchange scheme in Belfast by announcing the terms of reference for a new review that will consider how best to proceed, in advance of moving to the procurement phase of the project through discussions with specialists and stakeholders.

The review will look at wellbeing, sustainable travel, creating thriving liveable places and communities, responding to the climate emergency and connecting people and opportunities, the Executive’s priorities set out in New Decade: New Approach and the Outcomes Delivery Plan, and the scheme’s strategic fit alongside the emerging policy context, for example, the Belfast Agenda, the Belfast City Council Development Plan Strategy and the emerging Transport Plans.

The terms of reference for this review are as follows.

Independent Assurance Review - Terms of Reference

The York Street Interchange is a road scheme to improve the flow of traffic at the confluence of two motorways and the Westlink. The Minister has made clear her commitment to the delivery of this essential infrastructure scheme, which is identified as a key Executive priority in New Decade New Approach.

The purpose of the Review is to consider how best to proceed, in advance of moving to the procurement phase of the project. Through discussions with officials, specialists and stakeholders, you are, therefore, invited to carry out a Review to provide assurance to the Minister on how and to what extent the proposed scheme reflects and accommodates key Ministerial, Executive and Belfast City Council objectives and priorities (or could be adjusted to do so).

The review should focus on the scheme’s ability to deliver the following and consider any other issues highlighted:

The Minister’s priorities around focus on wellbeing, sustainable travel, creating thriving liveable places and communities, responding to the climate emergency and connecting people and opportunities;
The Executive’s priorities set out in New Decade: New Approach and the Outcomes Delivery Plan, and ;
The scheme’s strategic fit alongside the emerging policy context, for example, the Belfast Agenda, the Belfast City Council Development Plan Strategy and the emerging Transport Plans.

The outcome of the Assurance Review will be a report with a confidence assessment.

Update: December 2019


The Court ruled against the Department setting aside the Contract Award. This decision was subsequently appealed unsuccessfully by the Department.

Having considered the Court of Appeal judgement in relation to the legal challenge to the procurement competition, the Department has concluded that it would not be appropriate to proceed with the award of a contract under this particular competition.

The Department intends to run a new procurement competition for the project and is currently reviewing the options for the new competition.

Update: 6 April 2018


A hearing to consider the legal challenge took place in the High Court of Justice (NI) between 6 February and 12 March 2018. The Department is currently awaiting the outcome of this process.

Update: 28 June 2017


The procurement process for the York Street Interchange has been progressed in parallel with the statutory process. The tender process to appoint a Contractor to bring the scheme to a construction ready stage has now been completed. However, tender award cannot occur at present due to a legal challenge. The legal process is ongoing.

Update: 15 November 2016


Following the completion of the Public Inquiry in 2015 the Department has released the Inspector's Report. It has also:

published its Notice to Proceed with the scheme
made a Departmental Statement in response to the recommendations made by the Inspector
published the Designation Order for the scheme.

The Department's officials will initiate contact with relevant parties early in 2017 to fulfil the commitments in the Departmental Statement.

The Vesting Order for the scheme will be made in due course when funding has been confirmed.

The Inspector's Report, Departmental Statement, Notice to Proceed and
Designation Order are available from the list on the right.

A summary of the Inspector's considerations and recommendations, contained within Sections 7 and 8 of the Inspector's Report can be viewed here.

Documents containing:

the content of the decision
a description of the main measures to avoid, reduce and, if possible, offset the major adverse effects of the project
information about the consultation carried out in compliance with Articles 67A(8) and 67B, the representations received on consultation, and any changes made as a result of those representations
the Inspectors’ Report on inquiries held into the proposal

may be inspected by any person, free of charge, at all reasonable times during the period from 21st November 2016 to 6th January 2017 at the following offices of the Department:

The Department for Infrastructure - Eastern Division, Hydebank, 4 Hospital Road, Belfast BT8 8JL
The Department for Infrastructure - Headquarters, Room 2-01, Clarence Court, 10-18 Adelaide Street, Belfast BT2 8GB.

York Street scheme

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