DfI urged to deliver promised park and ride in Downpatrick

DfI urged to deliver promised park and ride in Downpatrick

10 September 2025

STORMONT roads minister Liz Kimmins has been urged to deliver a promised park and ride facility on the outskirts of Downpatrick.

Plans for the 400-space Department for Infrastructure facility close to the Down Business Park at the Belfast Road were unveiled five years ago but no progress has been made.

It was originally proposed to site the park and ride facility beside the Maxol station in Church Street close to the roundabout which would have had 50 spaces.

But there was a subsequent change in thinking and agreement to provide a much larger facility at the Belfast Road providing eight times the number of spaces.

Translink is fully supportive of the facility which is designed to encourage people to travel by bus, especially into the centre of Belfast to help ease congestion and reduce the city’s carbon footprint and emission levels.

Initial environmental and ecology assessments have already been carried out at the Belfast Road site and a business case was ordered.

This week, South Down MLA Colin McGrath and Downpatrick councillor Conor Galbraith have urged DfI Minister Liz Kimmins to prioritise the park and ride facility.

They say the project — first announced under former SDLP Minister Nichola Mallon — was designed to support local commuters, reduce congestion and improve access to public transport in the area. 

Mr McGrath, who has formally written to Ms Kimmins, said that despite early commitments, progress on the project has stalled and no clear timeline has been provided.

“This park and ride facility was a welcome announcement several years ago and it came with a real opportunity to make public transport more accessible for people living and working in and around Downpatrick,” he said.

“But since 2022, we’ve seen too many delays and not enough action and the project seems to have fallen off the Department’s radar.”

The Assemblyman also referenced the DfI’s newly published list of park and ride schemes to be advanced in the year ahead, stressing that Downpatrick must be included.

“The Department has now committed to a first phase of park and ride schemes across the North and the SDLP will now be working to ensure that Downpatrick doesn’t get left behind. Promises have been made and it’s time they were kept,” added Mr McGrath.

Cllr Galbraith said with traffic congestion in Downpatrick a “daily frustration for local people” a park and ride scheme is a practical, deliverable solution that would make a difference, at a relatively low cost. 

He said his party urging Ms Kimmins to outline exactly what stage the Belfast Road park and ride project is at and, what has been undertaken and when the scheme will be delivered.