The Belfast Metropolitan Transport Plan 2025 (BMTP), published in 2005, recognises that the development of the Titanic Quarter area of the docks will require a second access point. Currently, the access point at Queen's Quay / M3 offslip is the main entry point. In addition, the existing traffic-light controlled junction on the Sydenham Bypass at Dee Street creates a bottleneck for traffic travelling east from the M3 motorway.

This plan will see the Dee Street junction closed, and replaced by a new junction at the Connswater River bridge about 700 metres further east. The design of the new junction has not been decided, but the road protection corridor contained in the BMTP sets aside an area of land that would facilitate a roundabout interchange. The Connsbank Road (currently closed to traffic) would be re-opened to connect the junction north to Airport Road. It is likely that the scheme would see a new vehicular entrance to Victoria Park constructed off the junction, thus eliminating the existing T-junction on Sydenham Bypass.

The location of the new junction, and the existing Dee Street junction, are indicated on this screenshot from Google Earth (Titanic Quarter is the huge area around Queen's Road). The thin white link heading north west from the site of the proposed GSJ is Connsbank Road which would be re-opened as part of the scheme.

As the scheme requires the closure of the Dee Street junction, the construction of this junction would have to take place at the same time as the proposed Connsbank Link which would link the junction to the Newtownards Road at Holywood Arches. The scheme would likely also tie in with the proposed scheme to widen the A2 Sydenham Bypass to three lanes in each direction. This scheme requires the demolition of the Dee Street road bridge (as the span is too narrow) so all three schemes may progress at the same time.

Upon completion of this scheme, there would be no reason why the M3 motorway could not be extended eastwards as far as this junction as there are no private accesses on this stretch of road.

Updates

25 Apr 2008: Roads Service kindly responded to my request for an update on the scheme. They confirmed that the scheme is being privately funded and that the timescale therefore depends on developments in Titanic Quarter. However, they are apparently also working to try to ensure that the scheme proceeds at the same time as the Sydenham Bypass widening scheme (see link above) to minimise disruption. The widening scheme is due to take place sometime in the period 2013-2018 which may help date this proposal as well.

Funding

This scheme is to be privately funded. The Belfast Metropolitan Transport Plan states that "The timing and the provision of all access improvements to the Harbour Estate (Titanic Quarter), as well as other improvements to infrastructure, public transport and transport initiatives, as part of the phased development of the area, will be clearly identified and agreed with the Department. The funding for all these improvements will be the responsibility of developers either in full or in a very substantial part.". This was confirmed by Roads Service by e-mail in April 2008.

Photos

The Dee Street bridge over the A2 Sydenham Bypass seen looking west in late 2006. The road goes over the bridge to the right, then curves round 180° to join the A2 at traffic lights just beyond the bridge. This junction will be closed as part of the scheme. [Photo by Wesley Johnston]

Site of the new junction. This view looking north west along the disused Connsbank Road is taken from the Sydenham Bypass (which runs left to right behind the camera). This road would be re-opened to provide access from the new junction to the Titanic Quarter ahead. Picture taken in late 2006. The Connswater River runs to the right of the road. [Photo by Wesley Johnston]