Banbridge Public Realm Information
What changes are taking place?
New road layout changes are will take place at Downshire Bridge on completion of the Banbridge Public Realm Scheme.
These improvements aim to enhance pedestrian accessibility creating a safer environment for everyone while improving the movement of traffic around Downshire Bridge.
When will the changes come into effect?
Road resurfacing & new road layout works is scheduled to take place from 7pm on Saturday 16th November through to 7pm on Sunday 17th November.
Traffic diversions will be in place Under the Cut during these work as well as via Newry Road Roundabout.
New traffic priority changes will take effect from 7pm on Sunday 17th November 2024.
(Subject to completion of works on Sat 16th and Sun 17th Nov)
What are the key changes?
The main changes are:
- The introduction of two ‘Give Way’ signs and ‘Give Way’ road markings at the top of Newry Street and Bridge Street. This means drivers should stop and give way on their approach up the legs of ‘The Cut’.
- The traffic priority will now be for vehicles moving through Scarva Street and Rathfriland Street.
- The existing pedestrian crossing on Scarva Street has been moved closer to the junction with Bridge Street.
- A second pedestrian crossing on Rathfriland Street, close to Houston’s/Menary’s shop corner which aims to create a safer street crossing for pedestrians in this area.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Road resurfacing & new road layout works is scheduled to take place from 7pm on Saturday 16th November through to 7pm on Sunday 17th November. The work has been planned overnight and throughout Sunday to minimise disruption to the busy town centre.
Traffic diversions will be in place Under the Cut during these work as well as via Newry Road Roundabout.
New road layout will take effect from 7pm Sunday 17th November 2024.
(Subject to completion of works on Sat 16th & Sun 17th Nov)
The changes to Downshire Bridge are being made to improve pedestrian movement, safety and accessibility through the town centre.
During the initial design stages of the public realm scheme, extensive consultations were undertaken with a range of user groups including the Chamber of Commerce, Section 75 groups, such as RNIB, Guide Dogs UK and the Older People’s Alliance.
An audit was carried out by Inclusive Mobility and Transport Advisory Committee (IMTAC), which identified the junction as a particularly unfriendly environment for pedestrians.
The Department for Infrastructure advised that the junction at The Cut should be improved to adhere to new guidance.
The new road layout intends to rectify issues and safeguard pedestrians and drivers alike, ensuring a safer and more accessible journey for everyone.
The change in traffic priority at this junction was trialled approximately 25 years ago and it was only in place for 6 weeks. This was prior to the upgrade of Commercial Road which has taken a lot of the traffic volume away from town centre. It was deemed that the movement of traffic around Banbridge town is much different to what it was 25 years ago.
Drivers will be required to give way at the top of Newry Street and Bridge Street for pedestrians and traffic coming from Scarva Street and Rathfriland Street. We encourage drivers to approach these junctions with care, giving space to others whilst everyone becomes familiar with the change. We also remind drivers that the road taking vehicles underneath the Downshire Bridge remains unchanged.
In a report carried out by Inclusive Mobility and Transport Advisory Committee (IMTAC) about the area around the bridge, it was described as an unfriendly environment for most pedestrians but completely inaccessible for many disabled people. Department for Infrastructure advised that the junction at The Cut should be improved to adhere to new guidance for design of junctions and to future proof the junction in line with changes to the Highway Code which gives priority to pedestrians. Therefore, the additional zebra crossing gives a much greater priority to pedestrians in the area.
Rathfriland Street did not have any controlled crossings and the priority of the slip roads crossing over the junctions at the bridge made it more difficult for pedestrians to cross Downshire Bridge. The new layout will allow for easier crossings of the slip roads by pedestrians due to the ‘Give Way’ signage, making the whole junction at this busy town centre location more pedestrian friendly and safer particularly for those more vulnerable pedestrians.
Alongside the main changes to the bridge area, work has been ongoing to improve sight lines and reinstate kerb heights along the footpaths on both sides of the bridge itself. The table ramp will remain in place which will help to keep speeds low, particularly at the crossings and kerb delineation is to be provided between the carriageway and footway across the bridge.
Drivers will see signs as they near the new road layout to alert them to the changes. TrafficwatchNI and the Council will share important updates via digital platforms and their websites.
There has been no loss of on-street parking bays as a result of the work to the Downshire Bridge, nor any other part of the public realm scheme in Banbridge.
All on-street parking bays will remain available while remaining works are carried out.
REMAINING WORKS
With public realm works in Banbridge Town Centre almost complete, here is an update on the remaining schedule of works. While most of the main areas are now complete, Fox Contracts will be on site over the next few weeks to carry out remaining works along with some snagging in the following locations:
| Works Location | Works to do | Traffic Restrictions | Completed Week Commencing |
| Newry Road Roundabout | Landscaping | Lane Closure (Roundabout) | 21/10/24 |
| Linenhall St | Landscaping + White Lining | N/A | 21/10/24 |
| Painting CCTV Column | N/A | 04/11/24 | |
| Railings | N/A | 28/10/24 | |
| The Cut | Weedkilling + Strip Lighting Under Bridge | Lane Closure (Under Cut) | 21/10/24 |
| Railings to Legs + Painting Anchor Plates | Lane Closure (Under Cut) | 21/10/24 | |
| Bridge Street | Railings to Central Reservation | Lane Closure | 28/10/24 |
| White Lining | N/A | 28/10/24 | |
| Bann Bridge | Pedestrian Guardrail | N/A | 04/11/24 |
| Restoration of Existing Railings + White Lining | N/A | 28/10/24 | |
| Downshire Link | Handrail to steps | N/A | 28/10/24 |
| **Scarva St /Downshire Bridge | Restoration of Existing Railings | Lane Closures (Under Cut) | 21/10/24 |
| Road Resurfacing + Road Layout Change | Road Closure (24 hours) (Scarva St + Legs of Cut) Diversion Under Cut |
**see below detail |
**Scarva St/Downshire Bridge – New Road Layout Works
Road resurfacing & new road layout works will take place from 7pm on Saturday 16th November through to 7pm on Sunday 17th November. The work has been planned overnight and throughout Sunday to minimise disruption to the busy town centre.
Traffic diversions will be in place Under the Cut during these work as well as via Newry Road Roundabout.
New road layout will take effect from 7pm Sunday 17th November 2024.
CONTRACTOR & CONTACT DETAILS
- Fox Contracts Head Office – 028 8076 1944
- Brigid McGuigan (Public/ Business Liaison Officer) – 07833 098458
- Kevin Mallon (Site Foreman) – 07881 341503
- Conan Lyttle (Site Engineer – 07876 570328
- Emergency Contact Number – 07876 570328
- Email any queries to: or
- For queries in relation to the project delivery please contact Peter Scott by email
- For Town Centre Management queries please contact Laura McGahan by email
ABOUT BANBRIDGE PUBLIC REALM SCHEME
The Banbridge Public Realm Scheme is a £6 million investment in the town centre with the main aim to create a high-quality, better-connected streetscape with a strong focus on improved safety and accessibility for all users.
Key features of the scheme include new natural stone paving, granite kerbs, widening and resurfacing of footpaths, wayfinding, cycle parking, interpretive signage and tree planting – all of which will improve access around the town for all users and strengthen the town centre’s sense of place and unique characteristics. In addition, bespoke street furniture and feature lighting will be installed to reflect the historic fabric of the town.
Other major enhancements include a new plaza area at Scarva Street which will create a new multi-functional event and civic space; new gateway features at existing roundabouts to create more attractive arrival points; improved on-street parking bays on Newry Street and Bridge Street; improved pedestrian linkages to adjacent car parks and feature lighting to enhance key landmarks such as Downshire Bridge and Bann Bridge.
Council appointed leading construction company, Fox Building and Engineering Limited, to deliver the multi-phased programme of works, which began in May 2023.
This scheme is funded by Council and the Department for Communities (DfC).
A key consideration in the approach to the improvements in Banbridge has been to consider and enhance the heritage and history of the town.
The landscape of the town is defined by the River Bann. This natural feature contrasts with the man-made feat of engineering locally known as The Cut, which is said to be Ireland’s first underpass.
Banbridge’s architecture consists of a mixture of late Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian buildings, with a remarkable 140 listed buildings and structures.
The scheme uses natural stone paving materials with contrasting coloured granite kerbs and trims to define footpaths. The colouration of the paving materials takes its cue from the surrounding built form, providing a complimentary colour to the listed buildings and monuments enhancing their setting within the existing streetscape environment.