The Eastern Transport Plan and Belfast Fleadh 2026

The Eastern Transport Plan (ETP) consultation is now live, it’s the plan for a future transport network that’s sustainable, safe and accessible. In this episode we sit down with Chris McCracken CEO of Linen Quarter BID, James Hennessy from the Paul Hogarth Company (which specialises in urban design) & Tony Rafferty, ETP project manager, to discuss how this year’s Fleadh Cheoil, highlighted the social and economic benefits when Belfast city centre streets were transformed from busy car corridors, to lively, colourful and safe pedestrianised streets. Take part in the consultation here: https://www.infrastructure-ni.gov.uk/consultations/public-engagement-eastern-transport-plan-etp-2035-belfast-city-centre-and-belfast-metropolitan-area Open until 25 January 2027

This month (October '26) we'll be publishing the Eastern Transport Plan (ETP) 2035, and we’re going to be asking you what you think' It’s the vision for a more sustainable, better connected, more inclusive transport network. In this episode we explore what it actually means. Joining the discussion, Transport Specialist, Karen McShane, Dermot O’Kane Planning Manager from BCC and Project Manager of ETP, Tony Rafferty *this was recorded before this year’s Belfast Fleadh Cheoil’

In this episode we take a look at the work that goes on in the background, throughout the year, involving multiple agencies, to prepare for severe weather emergencies in NI.

For this episode of Little Changes we're finding out more about building resilience within communities, helping them prepare for emergencies, and in this case we're talking about weather related emergencies. 

For this episode we travel to Toome, on the shores of Lough Neagh, to find out more about the management of the Lough's water levels, flood prevention and the impact on the local eels fishery.

In this episode, EV driver Jude McMurray shares her experiences of driving an EV for the past 11 years, we also chat with Brian Donaldson from CBI who oversees the EV infrastructure's working group, and DfI's Director of Planning Policy & Transport, Sian Kerr.

In this episode we discuss how communities can live more sustainably in the face of climate change. We travelled to Newry to chat with some members of the Newry BID Regional Community Resilience Group, along with DfI Rivers team, about their positive working relationship.

In this episode we take a look at the importance of active travel on our health. 

In this episode we're joined by Clare Guinness, CEO Belfast Chamber and DfI Deputy Secretary of Transport & Road Asset Management, Colin Woods. We discuss the impact of traffic congestion on Belfast city centre businesses, and the collaborative work to improve things this festive season.

In our first episode we talk with Wesley Johnston and Liam McEvoy about  traffic congestion in Belfast City Centre in the run up to Christmas last year, and what we can do differently this year to ease the situation this year.