SEVERAL travel restrictions and alternative plans will be put in place for the highly-anticipated Armed Forces Day this Saturday.
The event at Ards Airfield is set to see thousands of people flock to the town for an action-packed day of activities and military displays, causing changes to usual travel throughout the day.
From 8am-8pm, there will be a full road closure on the Portaferry Road, from the Portaferry Road roundabout to the Old Shore Road.
Between 10.30-11.30am, there will be rolling road closures during the military parade from Court Street through South Street, High Street, Castle Street and Portaferry Road.
Throughout the day, a single lane closure will be in place to facilitate event shuttle bus access on the Portaferry Road between George’s Street and the Portaferry Road roundabout. There will also be temporary no-parking zones in the area.
The council has advised that ‘extensions to road closures may be required at certain periods’ to ‘ensure public safety’.
Those planning to attend are being urged to either pre-book on-site parking at Ards Airfield via the council website, or make use of public transport links.
There will also be a temporary free park and ride service available from the former NIE site at 31 Balloo Road, Bangor, with a free event shuttle bus running between this temporary car park and Ards Airfield.
Additional free event shuttle bus services will operate from Bangor Bus and Train station and Dundonald Glider stop, Upper Newtownards Road, beside Lidl.
The Mayor of Ards and North Down, councillor Gillian McCollum, said due to the high volume of expected visitors to the popular event, “I would encourage everyone to use public transport, car share, pre-book on-site car parking, or use the free event shuttle buses and park and ride services available.”
She added: “Everyone’s safety and enjoyment are paramount to us and our partners in the PSNI will be present on the day to help and support this.”
Full details on travel restrictions and arrangements for Armed Forces Day can be found at: www.visitardsandnort
