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Lisburn orientation and walkability strategy

The development of our walkability strategy will help improve connectivity and further regenerate the city centre to encourage residents and visitors to enjoy the nearby green parks and open spaces.  

In the spring of 2023, we undertook a public consultation on our strategy that plans to enhance the signage across the city centre to encourage everyone to use more active forms of transport, spend longer in the city and build the economy while improving the city’s identity.  

A practical approach will be taken to ensure everyone has a pleasant experience as they walk, wheel or cycle through Lisburn.  

Together we can help to improve the health and wellbeing of each other, enjoy our local facilities and support local city centre traders.  A day out to the shops can now be a varied experience – you could go for a walk or cycle, grab a bite to eat and then get your shopping before cycling or taking the bus or train home. We would ask everyone to take part in the public consultation.

View the strategy as a PDF on this link

All council services are committed to combating climate change in appropriate ways as part of our sustainability plans.  The development of this walkability strategy will help improve connectivity and further regenerate the city centre to encourage residents and visitors to enjoy the nearby green parks and open spaces.  Having two parks and Lagan Valley Regional Park all within a few minutes’ walk of the city centre is beneficial to all.

Elements of strategy


Pedestrian signage

We propose to improve pedestrian signage to include walking times, maps and key city features.

Design principles

The signage proposals will:

  • be recognisable
  • be comprehensible
  • fit in with broader identities and branding in Lisburn
  • allow visitors to understand what Lisburn has to offer as well as how to get there
  • including distances on signage would help locals and visitors to understand how compact and walkable Lisburn City Centre is.

In terms of inclusive orientation we have included consideration of Navilens that doesn’t rely on such precise pointing with a smart phone, and that triggers audio content that can explain the contents of the signage.

Navilens allows blind and partially sighted walkers to scan a code and hear their current location and directional options.

Streets and junctions 

The proposed changes to streets and junctions aim to make it easier to walk in Lisburn. We want the proposals to make pedestrian routes feel more safe and attractive while encouraging more people to walk on these streets and junctions.

Laganbank Road junction

The proposals are:

1. Promote a single route up to Bridge Street from the northern side of Union Bridge
2. Improve the paving on this route,  connecting existing areas of natural stone paving 
3. Removal of visual clutter e.g. railings  where possible, and replacement with  planting where possible
4. Cycling conflict avoidance - removal of shared paths at crossings, or creation of toucan crossings at junction


Hillsborough Road junction

The proposals aim to make the junction feel less like it belongs to cars, and safer,  easier and more pleasant to cross. 

1. Introduction of planting to replace removed barriers
2. Removal of barriers, where  possible, through upgrade of crossing
3. Treat wall to north east corner
4. Potential new crossing away from vehicle movements
 

Governor's Road and Chapel Hill

The proposals are:

1. Add a new crossing point to allow people to cross to the eastern side of  the road, shortening the distance.
2. Explore the potential to create a pedestrian route through the Governor’s Road car park, separated from vehicle traffic and providing a more direct route to Chapel Hill.
3. Consider the addition of lighting to this route, to encourage use in the evenings and help to direct people back to the city centre, or towards Lisburn Leisure Park in the evening.

 
Proposals to connect and improve Castle Gardens and the Lagan Towpath 

We want to improve the use of Castle Gardens and the Lagan Towpath for pedestrians, cyclists, buggy and wheelchair users alike.   

Castle Gardens

By opening up gates and making the space  feel safer through lighting, Castle Gardens could be better used and help people walk  by a quick, safe, attractive route into the centre of Lisburn.

Lagan Towpath

Proposals like better seating and lighting could help people feel more comfortable, and make it easier to spend as long as they want here. 

1. Lighting Low level bollard lighting would allow routes  along the Lagan to be used and to make it feel safer. Sensors and switches could turn it on when needed, but avoid effects on ecology when not required.
2. Seating The low number of seats by the Lagan limits the options for people to linger and spend time in nature. It also makes it harder for older or less  mobile people who need opportunities to rest  to walk here. Simple, robust seating at intervals along the Lagan would improve this.


Union Bridge

Changes are proposed to help people south of the Lagan connect on foot to Lisburn City Centre. This will be done by making it feel safer to across the bridge, and making the landmarks of the city centre more visible:

1. Visual connection to the city centre would help pedestrians to understand their objective, and allow views to Castle Gardens, where they could stop,  sit and rest.
2. The pavements are 3m wide, but could  be widened further on the northern footway, allowing pedestrians more space and separation from vehicles.  Improving the materials to this footway could also improve the experience.
3. The connection to the Lagan and  the Island could be highlighted as a gateway to the Lagan Regional Park.