As the Twelfth of July celebrations kick off across Northern Ireland, 18 venues across the country will host processions to mark the 332nd anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne. Motorists are advised that there will be significant traffic and delays across NI on Tuesday.
The G rand Orange Lodge of Ireland estimates that half-a-million people are expected to participate or spectate this year with the demonstrations being held in: Glenarm, Ballymena, Bushmills, Antrim, Cullybackey, Magheragall, Armagh City, Belfast, Ballygowan, Greyabbey, Newry, Ballymartin, Enniskillen, Limavady, Tobermore, Castlecaulfield, Omagh and Aughnacloy.
The PSNI has said that anyone travelling to or through any of the demonstration routes should expect disruption on the roads. Here are a number of the road closures announced for the Twelfth of July parades 2022.
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Belfast
Road users are advised of traffic disruption throughout the day on Tuesday July 12 as the Annual Twelfth of July Parade takes place. According to TrafficWatch NI, in and around Belfast city centre a number of roads will be closed as indicated below:-
Tuesday morning:
- Shaftesbury Square 08:15 - 19:00
- A12 Westlink offslips at Clifton Street 08:30 - 11:30
- Frederick Street 08:15 - 11:30
- Great Patrick Street 08:30 - 11:30
- Albertbridge Road 09:15 - 11:30
- Short Strand 09:30 - 11:30
- Station Street 09:15 - 11:30
- M3 Bridge off-slip 09:15 - 11:30
- Sydenham By Pass 09:30 - 11:30
- Middlepath Street 09:30 - 11:30
- Upper Malone Road 11:00
Tuesday Evening:
- M3 Offslip 18:00 - 19:30
- Bridge End 18:00 - 19:30
- Middlepath Street & Bridge End 18:00 -19:30
- Donegall Quay 18:20 - 20:00
- Queens Bridge 18:20 - 20:00
- Oxford Street 18:30 - 20:00
- Cromac Street 1830 - 20:00
- East Bridge & May Street 18:20 - 20:00
- Middlepath Street barriers 18:45 - 20:00
- Upper Malone Road 11:00 - 18:00
- Shaftesbury Square 08:15 - 19:00
Diversions will be in place but delays can be expected in these locations.
Newry
The main parade gets underway at 12 noon with disruption to traffic anticipated on the Belfast Road, Trevor Hill, Kildare Street, Hill Street, Margaret Square, The Mall, Bank Parade, Sugar Island, Ardmore Rd Park/ Shandon Park, Cloughanramer Road until 2.30pm.
The return parade will take place from 4pm until 5.30pm. Meanwhile, the Ballymartin parade gets underway at 11am from Greencastle Street, Kilkeel, along the coast to Ballymartin with return from 4pm to 6pm.
Armagh city
The parade will commence on Portadown Road, Armagh at 9am and finish at approximately 6pm. There will be no through traffic in Armagh City Centre between 8.30am and 1pm. Portadown Road / Hamiltonsbawn Road / Mall East areas will be affected until 6pm and diversions will be put in place.
The parade is scheduled to be in the field on Hamiltonsbawn Road by 12.30pm and leaves again at 2.30pm. Residents will be facilitated between 12.30pm and 2.30pm and at other times where possible to do so.
Traffic travelling from Newry through Armagh should travel via Friary Road, Irish Street, Shambles roundabout, Moy Road. Traffic travelling south through Armagh should travel via Moy Road, Shambles, Irish Street, Friary Road, Newry Road. Traffic travelling east to west from Portadown should travel via Markethill - Armagh. Traffic travelling from Portadown to Dungannon should travel via Drumilly Road - Loughgall - Armagh.
Tobermore
In Tobermore congestion is expected. Non-parade traffic is asked to avoid the general Tobermore Area. Outer diversion points will be in place to divert non-Parade traffic away from the parade route.
Traffic travelling towards the north coast are asked to use the outer diversions towards Magherafelt and Fivemilestraight Road which will take them onto the Glenshane Pass. Organisers have asked that anyone attending the parade not to park on the Maghera Road from Moyola Bridge into the centre of Tobermore.
This is to facilitate buses at this location which will drop off before parking on the Desertmartin Road. Disabled parking is available in the demonstration field. Parking permits have been issued by the Parade organiser to those parking in the demonstration field.
Castlecaulfield
In Castlecaulfield, congestion is expected. Castlecaulfield District has asked that there is no parking along Main Street, Police will place No waiting cones and enforce them at this location.
Anyone wishing to park at the Assembly Field should approach the village from Donaghmore, alternatively to park at the Demonstration Field please approach the village via Old Ballygawley Road to Parkanaur Road and then take the first right into Reaskcor Road. Outer diversion points will be in place to divert non-parade Traffic away from the parade route.
Aughnacloy
Traffic disruption is anticipated as a result of the Aughnacloy parade. Non-parade traffic is asked to avoid the general Aughnacloy Area. Outer diversion points will be in place to divert non-parade traffic away from the parade route. Traffic travelling from the Republic of Ireland toward Aughnacloy will be diverted at Monaghan via Caledon or the Old Monaghan Road.
Omagh
The West Tyrone will be held in Omagh and Omagh District LOL has asked that there will be no parking along the left-hand side of Campsie Road from the junction of Drumragh Avenue to the Swinging Bars Roundabout (Texaco Side) along both sides of Market Street from Dublin Road junction to Scarffe’s Entry and in High Street from junction of Bridge Street to Foundry Lane.
Police will place 'No Waiting Cones' and enforce double yellow line restrictions at these locations. Disabled parking will be at suitable locations along the route and in Dunne’s Car Park. During the Omagh parade, Derry traffic will not be affected but drivers should allow extra time to complete their journey safely and on time.
At Ballygawley, Cookstown or Gortin traffic will be diverted at Omagh Meats and travel along the Bankmore Road, New Hospital Link Road, Donaghanie Road and Hospital Road or alternatively travel toward Londonderry / Derry on the by-pass and travel back along the Derry Road Omagh and travel via Gortin Road or Old Mountfield Road.
Police wish to advise street traders wishing to do so along the route that they must have a valid Street Traders License issued by Fermanagh & Omagh District Council. Bands and lodges will then make their way to the assembly field via Scarffe’s Entry and Campsie Road.
All buses will approach along the Great Northern Road and park in Johnstone Car Park. Once parked and de-bussed bands and lodges will make their way up Scarffe’s Entry on route to the assemble field. Police have asked that all motorists leave additional time to complete their journeys safely.
Enniskillen
The Co Fermanagh 12th July Parade will be held in Enniskillen. Visitors are reminded that there will be no parking along Belmore Street, East Bridge Street or through the Town Centre to the junction of Queens Street / Darling Street.
This is to allow adequate space for spectators to watch the parade. Disabled Parking will be in Eden Street Car Park, Wellington Road at Toy Town, Quay Lane and Gaol Square.
The front row at these locations are left for disabled parking and the remaining parking at these locations are suitable for persons with limited mobility.
Police will have No Waiting Cones in areas agreed with the event organisers. Police on duty will ensure that the No Waiting Restrictions are strictly complied with. Traffic will, where possible, be kept flowing along the Dublin Road, Tempo Road, Crannog Way, Irvinestown Road, Cornagrade Road, Queen Street and New Bridge unto the Sligo Road or Shore Road and vice versa.
Police have asked that all motorists leave additional time to complete their journeys safely.
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