12/08/2026
Finucane Backs Minister’s Move To Pedestrianise Belfast City Centre
Sinn Féin MP John Finucane has welcomed Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins’ plan to expand pedestrianisation in Belfast city centre and launch a consultation as part of the Eastern Transport Plan.
Finucane said the proposals would build on measures introduced during the Fleadh, aimed at improving accessibility for everyone. The Minister has confirmed that the forthcoming Eastern Transport Plan consultation will include options to pedestrianise the core of the city centre.
The North Belfast MP said: "The Fleadh showed us what Belfast can be when we put people first.
"For a week, our city centre was transformed into a vibrant, welcoming space where families, visitors and communities could come together and enjoy Belfast without being dominated by traffic.
"I want to commend Minister Kimmins for taking these important steps towards and finalising her plans for expanding pedestrianisation in Belfast city centre.
"Her announcement that she will soon be bringing forward proposals for consultation is a welcome move and shows the ambition needed to deliver a cleaner, greener and more people focused Belfast.
"The success of the Fleadh has shown that people want this change. The public have seen what is possible when our city centre is designed around people rather than cars.
"Pedestrianisation is about making it more accessible, safer and more enjoyable for everyone. It means creating better spaces for walking, wheeling and cycling, supporting local businesses, improving air quality and making our city centre a place where people want to spend time.
"Now is the time to build on that momentum.
"I welcome the Minister's leadership and we will continue to work constructively to ensure that Belfast gets the ambitious, people-centred city centre it deserves."
Finucane said the proposals would build on measures introduced during the Fleadh, aimed at improving accessibility for everyone. The Minister has confirmed that the forthcoming Eastern Transport Plan consultation will include options to pedestrianise the core of the city centre.
The North Belfast MP said: "The Fleadh showed us what Belfast can be when we put people first.
"For a week, our city centre was transformed into a vibrant, welcoming space where families, visitors and communities could come together and enjoy Belfast without being dominated by traffic.
"Her announcement that she will soon be bringing forward proposals for consultation is a welcome move and shows the ambition needed to deliver a cleaner, greener and more people focused Belfast.
"The success of the Fleadh has shown that people want this change. The public have seen what is possible when our city centre is designed around people rather than cars.
"Pedestrianisation is about making it more accessible, safer and more enjoyable for everyone. It means creating better spaces for walking, wheeling and cycling, supporting local businesses, improving air quality and making our city centre a place where people want to spend time.
"Now is the time to build on that momentum.
"I welcome the Minister's leadership and we will continue to work constructively to ensure that Belfast gets the ambitious, people-centred city centre it deserves."
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