Proposals for a congestion charging scheme in Belfast, which might yield up to £20 million sterling (€16.6E33.2 million) a year for the North's transportation budget, are under scrutiny.
Regional Development Minister Mr Gregory Campbell put forward the plan, saying revenue raised from a daily £2 levy on cars entering the city centre at rush-hour could be used to fund projects that would help alleviate congestion.
Traffic volumes in Belfast are increasing by 23 per cent a year, and it is feared the accelerated house-building programme in Greater Belfast will add to the already serious morning and evening congestion.
A significant upturn in the economy could produce faster growth in traffic volumes, and longer tailbacks.
The Confederation of British Industry in Northern Ireland has already expressed its concern. At the recent public inquiry into plans for a £46 million investment in the Westlink the CBI urged the British government to proceed.
Its director, Mr Nigel Smyth, said traffic congestion on the M1 and Westlink delayed deliveries and cost businesses time and money. "Traffic volumes have increased from 40,000 vehicles a day in the mid 1980s to more than 70,000 today. The result is widespread congestion, both at rush hour and during the working day," he said. The CBI was also keen to see further investment in public transport, particularly on the key commuter routes into Belfast, Mr Smyth added. "The improvements to the Westlink and the M1 are essential in order to improve Northern Ireland's competitiveness."
A department spokesman said the Westlink, with 65,000 vehicles a day, was the busiest section of road in Northern Ireland. "We have carried out environmental impact reports and put forward proposals which are the best to help traffic problems," he said. The proposals include two flyovers at Broadway and Grosvenor Road, widening the road to three lanes from Blacks Road to Grosvenor Road, a park-and-ride facility for 500 spaces at Dunmurry, and a bus-way to the Great Victoria Street bus centre. But environmental groups and residents, supported by some local politicians, insist that widening the roads will only exacerbate the problem.
Pressure group, Friends of the Earth, West Belfast MP Mr Gerry Adams and South Belfast MLA Ms Monica McWilliams agree the inquiry should be postponed. Ms McWillams of the Women's Coalition said it should be halted until major transport plans are completed next year. "How can we make a strategic decision on such a major road project when the 10Year Regional Transport Plan is to be discussed in the Assembly early next year and the Belfast Metropolitan Transport Plan is due out in 18 months?"
Sinn Fein representative Mr Stephen Long told the inquiry that investment should be switched to public transport and the development of lanes reserved for high occupancy vehicles. Friends of the Earth has also argued the British government would be better cancelling the proposed investment in Westlink and diverting the funds to public transport instead.
Traffic problems caused by daily commuters are of immediate concern to Regional Development Minister Mr Campbell. During his one-day visit to Edinburgh, he was briefed by the Scottish Transport Minister Ms Sarah Boysack on proposals to introduce a congestion charge in the Scottish capital by 2004. The Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company is keen to revive plans for two guided busways. The E-way in east Belfast and the SuperRoute in south Belfast have been on the drawing board for several years. The cost is estimated at £25 million each. Meanwhile, in another attempt aimed at reducing the congestion in the city centre, the Laganside Corporation, the body responsible for the development of Belfast's waterfront, has ploughed £200,000 into a riverboat service on the River Lagan.
