Better Bedford Street

The project had a limited budget and was primarily a learning experience that would help inform longer term initiatives, including Streets Ahead V – the £28m public realm scheme earmarked for the Linen Quarter. However, the following tangible interventions were delivered between July and December 2018:

• An extended pavement along Bedford Street. The study found there were twice as many pedestrian movements in the street as vehicles. The extended pavement was introduced to accommodate this, and to enhance commercial activity such as outdoor dining.
• Experimental street art – including a blue “linen weave” running along the footway along with heritage artwork at Bedford Square.
• Enhanced lighting – specifically to alleviate the impact of scaffolding at the entrance to the street – along with new signage / street furniture outside Deanes.
• A mini-performance space outside the BBC, to reflect the musical and theatrical roots of the area.
• New planting, including a mini urban forest along with wild flower displays.
• A programme of street music and animation, including a week of music around the launch and enhanced activities during culture night and the Ciclovia.

To date, the extended pavement is still in place. The BID aims to install more permanent public realm improvements in front of the pavement section in front of Bedford House. You can see the proposals here.

The BID is also liaising with the Department for Infrastructure to ensure that Bedford Street will be developed into a ‘people-centered’ space as envisioned in the Bolder Vision for Belfast strategy. The Eastern Transport Plan currently being developed by the Department for Infrastructure will lay the groundwork for these future changes to traffic flow and road design.