Major traffic disruption is expected in Belfast today as the Grand Lodge of Ireland hosts it’s NI Centenary parade, with large numbers also expected to be travelling into the city this evening to attend a concert at the SSE Arena.
The parade will begin at Stormont Estate at 1pm on Saturday, 28th May, and make its way to City Hall in Belfast City centre via Newtownards Road, Queen’s Bridge, Ann Street, Victoria Street, High Street, Donegall Place, Donegall Square North and Donegall Square West.
The first bands and lodges are expected at the City Hall at approximately 2.30pm/3pm.
It is anticipated that the main parade will end at approximately 5.30pm/6pm.
Donegall Square West is the official end of the main parade. From this point there will be a number of feeder parades which will allow Counties to parade to their respective ‘bus park’ locations to make their way home.
Belfast County will be at the rear of the main parade. Once they reach Donegall Square West they will then further parade to North, South, East and West Belfast through usual routes to their respective areas. It is anticipated that Belfast City Centre will return to normal at approximately 7.30pm/8pm.
Traffic management measures/road closures will be implemented in the following areas at the approximate times below:
6am onwards - barriers/cones will be places on Newtownards Road, High Street, Donegall Place, City Centre South and Sandy Row
12 Noon onwards East Belfast area/Stormont/ Newtownards Road
11.55am - Upper Newtownards Road/ East Link/ Ulster Hospital
12.15pm - Upper Newtownards Road/ Comber Road
12.25pm - Upper Newtownards Road/ Rosemount
11.45am - Massey Ave/ Belmont Road
12 Noon - Hawthornden/ Knock/ Upper Newtownards Road junction
12 Noon - Knock Road/ Kings Road
12.30pm - Holywood Road/ Belmont Road
12 Noon – 12.10pm - Albertbridge Road area
11.15am - Ballymiscaw and Dunlady diversion
11.35am - Comber Road/ East Link Road
11.40am - Old Dundonald Road/ East Link Road
11.45am - Kings Road diversion
12.30pm - University Road /Lower Crescent
12.30pm - Sandy Row/ Donegall Road/Lisburn Road
1pm onwards - City Centre
1pm - M3 Offslip
1pm - Donegall Quay
1pm - Waring Street
1pm – 1.45pm - Short Strand/ Mountpottinger Link/ Station Street/ Ormeau Road /Ormeau Avenue
1.15pm - Millfield/ Divis St/ King Street/ Castle Street
1.20pm - Middlepath Street
1.25pm - Oxford Street/ May Street
1.35pm - Cromac Street/ East Bridge Street
1.40pm - Sydenham Bypass off slip
1.40pm - Shaftesbury Square
1.45pm - GrosvenorRoad/ Durham Street
1.55pm - Fisherwick Place
Meanwhile on police have said large numbers are expected for the Queen + Adam Lambert show at Belfast SSE Arena on this evening, Saturday 28th May. Doors open at 6:30pm with the show beginning at 8pm.
A spokesperson for the PSNI commented:
“Please be aware of the possibility of delays on all approach roads to the Arena. Leave plenty of time for your journey and be aware that in times of heavy congestion it may be necessary to close the M3 off slip towards the SSE Arena. If this is the case please enter the Harbour estate via Dee street.”