By Ryan Sands
THE DUP is calling for Saintfield’s former bus depot to be converted into a park and ride facility.
In a statement issued on Thursday, party representatives urged Translink to prioritise this course of action; however, when contacted for comment, the public transport operator told the Mourne Observer that it is working to repurpose the Belfast Road site “in order to create an enhanced bus lay‑by”.
In the DUP statement, Rowallane councillor Callum Bowsie said that the village “needs more parking”.
“Over the last few years, the DUP has had meetings with Translink to get them to address this eyesore coming into Saintfield, which they finally agreed to do two years ago,” he continued.
“The first step was dedicating a section of land for a proper bus lay‑by, and this has been finalised.
“Step two is deciding the future of the main site.
“Translink have finished seeking expressions of interest for repurposing the site by the public sector.
“No expressions of interest were formally made, and, therefore, the land is set to be sold off, most likely for housing.
“We believe this is a rash decision and ignores our plea over recent years for any repurposing of this land to put the needs of the existing community first, which has consistently been a call for a park and ride to better manage commuter parking in the village.”
His party colleague, South Belfast MLA Edwin Poots, confirmed that he has written to Translink “asking for a park and ride to be prioritised”.
“Saintfield is a commuter town with congestion, parking pressure and no park and ride,” he stated.
“Government transport policy talks about modal shift and integrated transport, yet a former transport site in Saintfield is being sold on the open market – it doesn’t make sense.
“Once this land is sold, the opportunity is gone forever.
“Decisions like this should be taken as part of long‑term transport planning, not short‑term land disposal.”
Strangford MLA Michelle McIlveen added: “While the repurposing of the old depot is welcome, it is vitally important that this strategic section of land is retained to address the chronic parking issue within Saintfield and not put on the open market without a thorough review into connectivity and sustainable travel along the A7.
“We are asking that this land be retained for a park and ride facility, creating potentially 40 car parking spaces on the Belfast Road at the main Belfast‑bound bus stop.”
Responding to the DUP statement, a Translink spokesperson said: “We are working with the Department for Infrastructure to repurpose the former Saintfield bus depot site, in order to create an enhanced bus lay‑by and improvements to the footway at this location.”
