EWAY
Encyclopedia
The EWAY is a light rail
or bus system proposed for East Belfast
, Northern Ireland
.
In January 2007, then Regional Development Minister in Northern Ireland, David Cairns
, announced that engineering consultants WS Atkins PLC
were to undertake economic feasibility studies on rapid transit proposals for Belfast, including
assessing the Belfast Metropolitan Transport Plan (BMTP) proposals for the EWAY rapid transit scheme which would run between Dundonald
and Belfast city centre. A report was expected around mid 2007.
corridor and its success would dictate the extent, if any, of further development of the rapid transit network.
In 2003-04 the Knock Valley Relief Sewer was laid along 7.5 km (4.7 mi) of the disused trackbed of the Belfast and County Down Railway
, flowing from Dundonald to the site of the former junction with the Belfast - Bangor line at Ballymacarrett. The sewer is positioned so as not to jeopardise proposed use of the trackbed for the EWAY project.
The proposed route will utilise The Comber Greenway
running from inner Belfast to Comber. Currently a foot and cycle path, a campaign group has been formed to relocate the route onto the Upper Newtownards Road.
Light rail
Light rail or light rail transit is a form of urban rail public transportation that generally has a lower capacity and lower speed than heavy rail and metro systems, but higher capacity and higher speed than traditional street-running tram systems...
or bus system proposed for East Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
, Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
.
In January 2007, then Regional Development Minister in Northern Ireland, David Cairns
David Cairns (politician)
John David Cairns was a Scottish Labour Party politician, who was a Member of Parliament from 2001 until his death. He represented the constituency of Inverclyde. He was the Minister of State at the Scotland Office until he resigned on 16 September 2008...
, announced that engineering consultants WS Atkins PLC
WS Atkins PLC
WS Atkins plc is a multinational engineering, design, planning, project management and consulting services company headquartered in Epsom, United Kingdom...
were to undertake economic feasibility studies on rapid transit proposals for Belfast, including
assessing the Belfast Metropolitan Transport Plan (BMTP) proposals for the EWAY rapid transit scheme which would run between Dundonald
Dundonald
Dundonald is a large settlement in County Down, Northern Ireland. It lies east of Belfast and is often deemed to be a suburb of the city. It includes the large housing estate of Ballybeen, and many new housing estates have emerged in the past ten years....
and Belfast city centre. A report was expected around mid 2007.
History & Route
Both the Regional Transportation Strategy (RTS) for Northern Ireland and the BMTP recognised the value of introducing rapid transit services in Belfast. In 2004 the BMTP stated that the pilot stage of a rapid transit network could be implemented (subject to economic appraisal, budgetary processes and the completion of statutory processes) within the 2015 Plan period. It confirmed EWAY as the preferred option which would serve the NewtownardsNewtownards
Newtownards is a large town in County Down, Northern Ireland. It lies at the most northern tip of Strangford Lough, 10 miles east of Belfast, on the Ards Peninsula. Newtownards is the largest town in the Borough of Ards. According to the 2001 Census, it has a population of 27,821 people in...
corridor and its success would dictate the extent, if any, of further development of the rapid transit network.
In 2003-04 the Knock Valley Relief Sewer was laid along 7.5 km (4.7 mi) of the disused trackbed of the Belfast and County Down Railway
Belfast and County Down Railway
The Belfast and County Down Railway was an Irish gauge railway in Ireland linking Belfast with County Down. It was built in the 19th century and absorbed into the Ulster Transport Authority in 1948...
, flowing from Dundonald to the site of the former junction with the Belfast - Bangor line at Ballymacarrett. The sewer is positioned so as not to jeopardise proposed use of the trackbed for the EWAY project.
The proposed route will utilise The Comber Greenway
The Comber Greenway
The Comber Greenway is a traffic-free section of the National Cycle Network, in development along the old Belfast-Comber railway line. The cycle path starts on Dee Street in Belfast and finishes at Comber. Now completed the Greenway provides an eco-friendly cycle path with views of Stormont and...
running from inner Belfast to Comber. Currently a foot and cycle path, a campaign group has been formed to relocate the route onto the Upper Newtownards Road.