Hauliers hail Christmas roadwork ban

NI hauliers have welcomed a ban on roadworks on major routes in Northern Ireland over the holidays, saying it will be of huge benefit at their busiest time of year.

Recently appointed transport minister Michelle McIlveen said works in Belfast, Lisburn and Londonderry would be halted from today (Monday December 30) until January 4 to allow traffic to flow freely and ensure deliveries are not disrupted.

Ms McIlveen, the DUP MLA for Strangford, took over the transport portfolio from the UUP’s Danny Kennedy, who resigned from the Executive in September.

The new minister said her aim was to help people during the busiest traffic period of the year.

She said the ban had worked well in previous years and was “well received” by business organisations.

Welcoming the decision, Freight Transport Association’s policy and membership manager for Northern Ireland, Seamus Leheny, said: “FTA members across Northern Ireland face their busiest few weeks in the build-up to Christmas as they make sure our local shops, restaurants and bars are stocked and that gift parcels are delivered to homes.

“Hopefully operators will save vital time in making their deliveries, thus ensuring the public can enjoy the festive period.”

FTA member Charlie Stevenson, logistics manager at drink distributor James E McCabe Ltd in Craigavon, said he welcomed the decision, coming during a demanding delivery schedule.

“We have our largest orders at this time of year so this decision will hopefully make it easier and more efficient in getting our goods to shops, bars and restaurants,” he said.

Willy Marley, owner of haulage and courier service MMK Express in Newtownabbey, also supported the move.

“Belfast can be very frustrating with regards to getting deliveries made and it’s even worse in the build-up to the Christmas period which is our busiest time of year due to the high volume of parcel deliveries,” he said. “This decision is common sense and is very much welcome.”

The ban has been successfully implemented in previous years.  However Mr Leheny added that the provision of more HGV loading bays in urban areas, particularly in Belfast city centre, would improve the situation even further.

“This would ultimately benefit not just our members in easing access but would mean local businesses get their goods on time,” he said.