Work to improve the pedestrian and active travel experience in Belfast city centre is close to completion.

This pilot project, which is substantially complete, saw improvements delivered to revitalise Adelaide Street. With investment from Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon's Blue/Green Infrastructure Fund, the scheme creates an improved pedestrian and active travel experience along Adelaide Street through the provision of additional space for walking, resting, play and outdoor dining. It includes solar lighting, shelter, bike parking and significant greening.

"This scheme reflects a new way of living as we recover from the Covid 19 pandemic and importantly take steps to address the climate emergency," said Minister Mallon.

"Outdoor public spaces make our city centre more attractive, transforming them into areas where we can take time to rest, eat and socialise with friends. It can also help boost local business and tourism.

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"We must also address our reliance on motor vehicles and with the addition of bike parking, I hope more people will consider more active and sustainable methods of travel into the city centre.

"As we move into the spring and summer months, I look forward to seeing this urban space put to good use by shoppers, workers, tourists and families."

This scheme is being delivered in partnership with Belfast City Council and forms part of wider plans to enhance city centre infrastructure post-Covid 19.

Belfast Lord Mayor, Councillor Kate Nicholl added: "We're delighted to have received funding and support from our partners the Department for Infrastructure to deliver this scheme. We've had input from people of all ages who live or work on this street, have a business here, or simply use it on their day-to-day journey through the city. The design references the rich heritage of the area through its materials, shapes and colours. For example, the lit lantern structures take their shape from machinery, looms and cutting patterns that would have been found in the linen warehouses, and if you look up underneath them you'll see architectural details from the surrounding buildings reflected in their mirrors.

"Our Bolder Vision for Belfast is all about creating a greener, more accessible, liveable and age friendly city, and it's our aim that this scheme on Adelaide Street will help to reduce car dominance, make the space more inviting and improve people's experience when they're walking and wheeling through the city, whilst retaining access for public transport."

Some minor works will be carried out to complete the scheme in the coming weeks.