Motorists should expect disruption later this week as a number of roads are set to be closed in Belfast for the annual St Patrick's Day celebrations.
Celebrations will kick off this year on Wednesday 16 March with an evening St Patrick’s Concert taking place at Custom House Square from 5pm-9pm.
This is a free but ticketed event and all tickets for this event are now fully allocated.
Read more: St Patrick's Day Belfast 2022: Events listings and everything to know
Extreme caution should be exercised when driving in and around the area of Custom House Square, Queen’s Square and Victoria Street areas due to the large volume of pedestrians attending the concert.
There is no designated city centre parking for this event.
Due to the Challenge Cup Final – Belfast Giants v Cardiff Devils – on March 16 in the SSE Arena, concert attendees are advised not to park at the Odyssey and are encouraged to use other car parks near Custom House Square i.e. the NCP Belfast City Quays Car Park on Donegall Quay.
Traffic restrictions and diversions will operate in Belfast city centre as the annual St Patrick’s Day Carnival Parade Pageant takes place on Thursday, March 17.
On street parking, including blue badge spaces will be suspended 6am-2.30pm along Upper Arthur Street, Donegall Place, High Street, Bridge Street and Donegall Street to accommodate the parade and spectators.
Motorists can expect some disruption along the parade route with rolling diversions in place from 12.30pm through to 2.30pm on roads and streets that intersect with the route.
The carnival pageant will leave Belfast City Hall at 1pm and travel down Donegall Place, turn right into Castle place, then High Street, left into Bridge Street, Waring Street and finishing on Donegall Street close to Writers Square.
Please note there is no designated city centre parking for the St Patricks carnival parade.
Drivers should also be aware that the SPAR Craic 10K event will see up to 2,500 runners leaving Belfast City Hall at 9am on St Patrick’s Day.
The race will take a route through the city centre before crossing the finish line at Ormeau Park - a Traffic Management plan and signage will be in place and motorists should follow directions of Police, any signage and exercise caution along the route. Delays or diversions can be expected.
Translink Metro and Ulsterbus will operate a holiday timetable throughout the day including revised frequencies on some services and NIRailways will operate a Saturday timetable.
All services are subject to diversions and delays between 12noon-4pm on St Patricks Day. Please leave additional time for your journey and visit www.translink.co.uk or follow @Translink_NI #BelfastStPats for the latest travel updates.
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