Eastern Transport Plan (ETP) 2035 - FAQs
A list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on the Eastern Transport Plan (ETP).
Is the ETP being developed in line with realistic funding envelopes?
The funding landscape for the ETP has been, and continues to be, uncertain, with the potential for significant change. While the ETP is designed to be ambitious, it recognises the importance of remaining realistic. The plan will set out a package of measures for delivery, and once published, a phasing and implementation plan will be developed to determine the most effective sequence for delivering schemes. This approach will enable staged delivery as funding becomes available throughout the lifetime of the plan.
Does the ETP take into consideration the move towards Electric Vehicles?
The Department’s approach to reducing transport-related carbon emissions is built around three key pillars: fuel switching, shifting modes, and reducing journeys. The transition to Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEVs) plays a vital role in meeting climate targets and reducing the environmental impact of private vehicles. However, this area is being addressed through separate departmental workstreams and is not within the scope of the transport plans. Instead, the ETP concentrates on shifting travel modes and reducing journeys, which contributes, not only to climate targets but to broader sustainability goals by enhancing the built environment, supporting economic growth, promoting healthier lifestyles, and strengthening communities.
What types of strategies are under consideration within the ETP to ‘reducing journeys’?
The ETP will focus on reducing the length of journeys through integrated transport and land use planning and the implementation of ‘people and movement places’ to give more people the option to access services locally via active modes or shorter car journeys. This approach supports more sustainable travel behaviours and helps reduce overall demand on the transport network.
What engagement will the ETP have with communities within the ETP area in considering local concerns and changes?
The ETP will undergo a series of public engagement exercises aligned with the staged publication of Local Development Plans by councils in the area. These engagements will provide opportunities for communities to share their views on the plan. Any proposals emerging from the ETP will be subject to funding availability and statutory processes, including public consultation at the design stage, where more detailed information will be available. This ensures targeted, meaningful engagement at the local level before implementation.
How does the ETP define “Unnecessary use of private car”?
The ETP defines “unnecessary use of private car” as making a journey by private vehicle when a viable and more sustainable alternative is available. It acknowledges that private car use is essential in many cases, such as where active travel or public transport options are unsafe or unavailable, or where personal mobility needs or specific trip types require it. The ETP does not seek to eliminate car use but aims to expand travel choices so that more people can opt for alternatives and reduce reliance on private vehicles.
What is the timescale for the ETP?
ETP 2035 is being developed in phases to align with the publication of each council’s Local Development Plan – Draft Local Policies Plan. This phased approach ensures that transport infrastructure and services are planned in tandem with the delivery of new homes and jobs in a sustainable manner. The latest timescales for each council’s Local Development Plan can be found on their respective websites.
What is the difference between a Transport Strategy and Transport Plan?
- Transport Strategy: A high-level, long-term vision that sets out strategic objectives and policy direction for transport. (What we intend to do)
- Transport Plan: A geographically focused document that outlines where transport infrastructure and services will be delivered to support the strategy. (Where we intend to deliver change)
- Scheme Design: The detailed stage where specific local changes are agreed and implemented. (How we will deliver change)
For example, the Transport Strategy 2035 includes a policy to “increase investment in Active Travel to create a safe, connected, coherent network that is easy for everyone to use.” The ETP identifies the areas and routes where improvements will be made, and individual schemes will be developed following publication to determine how each route will be designed and delivered.
Why can’t I find the plans for my council area?
The ETP is part of a wider suite of Transport plans being brought forward by the Department. Plans are being progressed for all council areas. The ETP is being prepared in collaboration with the five councils of the ETP area and it is recognised that future of the transport system is a fundamental component with respect to the preparation of their Local Development Plans (LDPs). As such, the ETP has been prepared in an integrated way to ensure that growth aspirations and future zoning are accounted for when planning the transport network. Given the different developmental stages of the LDPs, the ETP is being published in iterations as information becomes available form the councils.
Where can I get more information on the ETP?
Further information on the ETP can be found on the website.
You can also contact the Eastern Transport Team by email
What is the ETP?
The ETP is a framework for making transport policy and investment decisions up until 2035 to ensure the transport network meets the needs of the people and businesses, living, working and visiting the ETP area, now and into the future.
What area does the ETP cover?
The ETP encompasses the following ‘five councils’ that form the Metropolitan Area Spatial Working Group:
- Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council (ANBC);
- Ards and North Down Borough Council (ANDBC);
- Belfast City Council (BCC);
- Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council (LCCC); and
- Mid and East Antrim Borough Council (MEABC)
How will the ETP link in with local development plans currently being progressed by the Council's covered within the ETP area?
The ETP team proactively work collaboratively with all the councils in the ETP area to progress the ETP in line with each council’s Local Development Plan timetable. Any queries in relation to Local Development Plans within an area should be directly made via the relative council responsible for the particular Local Development Plan.
Will the ETP consider freight transportation for businesses?
The Department for Infrastructure (DfI) understands the importance of freight transport. The ETP gives consideration to the freight network and how it can support the economy.
How will the ETP affect access to and from local communities?
The ETP is an innovative, proactive plan that aims to create an inclusive, accessible transport network to allow people to sustainably and actively travel easily from residential areas to their destination. It aims to improve access to and between local communities.
Is the ETP going to stop travel by private motor vehicle?
No, the ETP is a multi-modal plan that will aim to balance space for active travel, public transport, and necessary car and freight trips. It will rebalance the transport network to encourage journeys to be made by sustainable modes such as walking or wheeling, cycling and public transport. The Department recognises many car journeys are necessary and while the plan aims to reduce unnecessary car journeys, the option to use private vehicles will remain.
What impact will the ETP have to those individuals with mobility impairments and find it difficult to access public transport?
The ETP will maintain a functioning transport network that improves travel options for all across the ETP area, including those with mobility impairments and those who experience difficulty accessing public transport. The ETP will support cycling infrastructure that will accommodate adapted bikes and favour the most accessible forms of public transport whilst retaining a road network to accommodate necessary car journeys.
What are the aims of the ETP?
It aims to:-
- Create an easy accessible, connected, inclusive active travel transport network for sustainable, modern day living.
- Create better, accessible options enhancing individual choice for all different modes of transport with an aim to reduce unnecessary use of private car.
- Create areas for people living or visiting the ETP area to safely meet and socialise, which also respect the local built and natural environment.
- Promote better health and wellbeing by encouraging active travel and improving air quality.
- Contribute to more environmental friendly modes of transport, which will have a positive impact towards climate change
- Create a functioning transport network for all that supports and enhances the economy
Will the ETP connect to rural areas?
The ETP covers the entire council areas of
- Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council (ANBC);
- Ards and North Down Borough Council (ANDBC);
- Belfast City Council (BCC);
- Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council (LCCC); and
- Mid and East Antrim Borough Council (MEABC)
A review of all transport links within those council areas will be undertaken including the rural areas. Due to practicality and funding restraints, the ETP will prioritise those schemes that best meet the plans objectives. The ETP is part of a suite of transport plans that cover all of Northern Ireland. You can find more information on the suite of transport plans for Northern Ireland on the following website: -
Does the ETP include rail as a mode of transport?
The rail network is considered part of the Regional Strategic Transport Network and as such will be considered in the Regional Strategic Transport Plan, which is currently under development.
What is meant by Demand Management within the ETP?
Demand Management can best be defined as a range of measures that may be implemented in order to manage the demand in use of unnecessary private car journeys. ETP seeks to reduce unnecessary private car use within the transport network through effective demand management measures. Some of those measures take the form of incentivising the use of more sustainable modes while others would consider making private vehicle use less attractive.
Will Blue Badge parking be removed with the ETP?
The ETP maintains a functioning road network whilst favouring sustainable modes. The proposals will involve the removal of blue badge parking in localised areas where access for cars will be restricted. In such cases the blue badge parking provision will be enhanced around these areas to ensure there is an adequate supply as close as possible to these areas. Overall the proposals aim in increase the number of Blue Badge parking spaces.
Will the ETP provide an affordable way to travel?
The ETP focuses on travel demand and patterns rather than an assessment of affordability. However, the Department is supportive of measures that seeks to make the transport network more affordable to all citizens, particularly by sustainable modes.
When will the ETP be published?
The ETP is being integrated with the Local Development Plans of the five council's listed below.
- Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council (ANBC);
- Ards and North Down Borough Council (ANDBC);
- Belfast City Council (BCC);
- Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council (LCCC); and
- Mid and East Antrim Borough Council (MEABC)
As such it will be published in several iterations to tie in with the Local Development Plan timetables of each council. More information can be found on each council's website.
Will the public have an opportunity to engage and give their response to the ETP?
Yes, there has already been an engagement exercise on the plan’s Vision and Objectives. The engagement report can be found via the following link - ETP Launch Engagement. As the plan develops, there will be opportunities to have your say on the schemes and measures to be included, starting with the Belfast City and Metropolitan Areas in early 2026.
Does the ETP link in with the Belfast Cycle Network?
The ETP will promote active travel including cycling. As a mutli-modal plan and with limited road space on the network, all modes cannot be accommodated on all roads. The ETP will seek to strike and balance between all modes to ensure the best possible network is achieved for all. The ETP intends to build on the work of the Belfast Cycle Network to develop proposals for a comprehensive, safe, accessible cycle network throughout the Belfast area. Once published, the ETP will replace the Belfast Cycle Network, and a new Belfast Active Travel delivery Plan will be produced. This will not stop development of the existing Belfast Cycle Network delivery plan schemes which were considered committed within the ETP development.
Has the ETP secured the funding required?
In recent years, the Northern Ireland Executive has been operating on single year budgets. The ETP is therefore unable to secure funding through to 2035. Based on historical and predicted future funding, the ETP proposals strike a balance of being ambitious while also realistic to ensure that there is a reasonable chance of delivering the proposed schemes and measures within the plan timeframe.