Launch - Balmoral Show Traffic and Travel
Balmoral Show – Traffic and Travel
Large crowds of people are expected to attend this year’s Balmoral Show. In a bid to ease congestion around the Showgrounds, organisers are appealing to visitors to leave their vehicles at home in favour of more environmentally friendly modes of transport.
“We are delighted that the Balmoral Show attracts so many visitors each year, but we are very conscious about our neighbours and our environmental responsibilities,’ said Rhonda Geary, RUAS Operations Director. She continued, “We would urge our visitors to consider leaving their cars at home and benefit from a more relaxed journey on public transport.”
The RUAS and Translink have teamed up to offer a special promotion for this event.
Translink passengers displaying a valid bus or train ticket on Wednesday 12th May will be able to benefit from a discount on the full price to the Show. Admission fees for Translink passengers will be £12 adult (normal price is £15), £7 senior citizen (£10 normal price) and £7 youth (normal price is £10).
Lynda Shannon, Communications Manager, Translink said:
“We are pleased to once more join forces with the RUAS to encourage more people to leave the car at home and use greener travel options to get to and from this year’s event as well as enjoying discounted Show entry, exclusive to Translink passengers. The King’s Hall Complex is a five minute walk from Balmoral Train Station and situated along the frequent Metro 9 bus corridor which operates every 5-10 minutes at peak times. Passengers can also enjoy a third off train fares after 9.30am and those over 60 can travel free with a Senior Smartpass or 60+ Smartpass.”
“This year we are also encouraging rail passengers attending the Show to take advantage of our great ‘Rail Nights Out’ deals as the perfect way to round off a fun day out. For further details of bus and rail options click www.translink.co.uk or call 028 9066 6630.
There are a number of parking locations in close proximity to the Showgrounds; all offering a daily rate of £7.00 per car. Park and Ride facilities will be available from the following locations during the Show; Boucher Road and Belfast Harlequin Playing Fields.
Strangford Avenue playing fields will also be available for car parking but there will be no park and ride from this location due to close proximity to the Showground’s.
Disabled car parking is available at the Boucher Road Park and Ride facility and all shuttle bus services are wheel chair accessible.
Coach parking is available at the Harlequin Playing Fields, located at Deramore Park.
Rhonda Geary appealed to visitors to use the facilities available and to avoid parking outside the homes of local residents and local businesses, “We are looking forward to welcoming people from all over Ireland this May, but we would appeal to those who need to travel by car to the Show to use the car parking facilities provided. We would particularly appeal to visitors to refrain from parking within the grounds of the Musgrave Park Hospital as it causes great inconvenience to hospital staff and visitors.”
Echoing her sentiments, Inspector Mark McCausland from the PSNI's Roads Policing Unit appealed to motorists to use public transport wherever possible, or park only in the designated locations if they had to bring their vehicles.
"Police will not hesitate to issue Fixed Penalty Notices to anybody parked illegally or ignoring parking restrictions in front of homes or businesses. You are really much better off using public transport.”
"In any case, we would ask motorists to allow plenty of time for their journey to and from the venue. Bear in mind that the M1 Motorway at Balmoral is usually extremely busy all day during an event such as the Balmoral Show so use an alternative route if you can. Also, try and avoid arriving or leaving during morning or evening rush hour when traffic is at its peak everywhere," Inspector McCausland added.
Details of car parking arrangements, park and ride facilities and other travel promotions can be found on www.balmoralshow.co.uk – visitor’s page. The Balmoral Show in partnership with Ulster Bank runs from Wednesday 12th May – Friday 14th May 2010. It is open from 8.30am – 8.00pm daily.
ENDS
For further information, please contact Tracy O’Toole, on 028 9066 5225 ext 225 or e-mail tracy@kingshall.co.uk
