PLAN TO PUT BRAKES ON TAXIS IN TRANSPORT LANES

A PETITION to stop Belfast taxi drivers being allowed in bus lanes designed for the new rapid transport scheme has been launched.

Unite the Union regional co-ordinating officer Davy Thompson said the Stormont proposals were published last week by unaccountable civil servants at the Department of Infrastructure.

He added plans to open bus lanes across the city will reverse years of Executive policy to promote public transport and flood the new “rapid” system with an estimated 4,500 private taxis.

Mr Thompson said: “With virtually no publicity whatsoever, the Department of Infrastructure quietly launched a mere threeweek consul- tation on proposals that would have the potential to transform the status of public transport in Belfast.

“Aside from a copy of the legal changes involved, the department’s website provides virtually no documentation on what is being promoted as an ‘experimental’ and temporary proposal but one very likely to become permanent if it proceeds.

“As well as bus drivers and those who are reliant on bus services, there is strong opposition to these proposals from the growing numbers who use the lanes freely to cycle around the city.” Unite is urging the public to “bombard” DFI with emails on their concerns to the address: transport legislation branch @infrastructure-ni.gov.uk.

The deadline to have your say in the public consultation is July 6.

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