To ask the Minister for Infrastructure to detail (i) the moving of two bus stops to create pedestrian space as part of the Open Ormeau project; and (ii) the timescale for this.

It is acknowledged that the bus shelters on the Ormeau Road at Candahar Street (outside the Ormeau Park Pharmacy) and between Haywood Ave and Deramore Street (outside the Kaff o Café) are erected on the footway limiting the available space for pedestrians. My Department is proposing to widen the footway at these locations by taking away a parking bay and relocating the bus shelters slightly and this will remove the pinch points and allow pedestrians to better maintain effective social distancing.

I can confirm that NIE is currently programmed to disconnect the power supply to the shelters on 7 March 2021, allowing the contractor to commence work on 15 March 2021.