Belfast city centre is in disarray this afternoon following an influx of Sunday shoppers.
Today has been billed as one of the year’s biggest shopping days, leading to thousands of cars flocking to the city and causing long tailbacks.
Large traffic queues have formed on all main routes into the city with some drivers turning away as far as two miles outside Belfast.
Traffic cameras with Trafficwatch NI show long queues along the Westlink, Falls Road, Ormeau Road, and Boucher Road.
Several of the city’s main streets are also clogged with cars attempting to make their way to popular shopping destinations.
In a statement earlier this week, following a Thursday night of bedlam in which travellers took over two hours to make seven-mile journeys, the Department of Infrastructure said it is working to ‘undertake range of mitigation measures’ to help ease congestion.
Road traffic expert Wesley Johnston, who researches road plans and infrastructure, has said that there is “no quick fix” to Belfast’s ongoing traffic congestion.
Mr Johnston believes there is no easy solution to avoid the long queues and delays unless the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) overhauls Northern Ireland’s entire road system.
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