Infrastructure

Transport links

Ards and North Down is served by 715 miles (1,152 km) of public roads, containing 4.5% of the total Northern Ireland network. Within the borough there are 16 miles (27km) of dual carriage A-roads; 85 miles (137km) of single carriage A-roads; 36 miles (58km) of B-roads; 102 miles (165km) of C-roads; with the remaining unclassified roads totalling 475 miles (766km).

Ards and North Down lies adjacent to Northern Ireland’s capital city, Belfast, and can be easily accessed by car, bus or train.  Translink provides excellent public transport links throughout the borough.

There is easy access to Europe from Ards and North Down via the region’s air and sea ports. These offer regular flights and sailings to the UK, Ireland and the rest of Europe.  George Best Belfast City Airport is located within 10 miles (16 km) of Bangor and Belfast International Airport is only 30 miles (48km) away. 

George Best Belfast City Airport has privately invested more than £15 million into its facilities and infrastructure over the last number of years.  The proximity of the airport to the city centre has made it an attractive option for airlines and a convenient option for business passengers.  With one of the shortest car-to-gate distances of any European airport, Belfast City Airport prides itself on having a compact and modern terminal that facilitates a quick transfer for passengers.

Belfast Harbour is located within 12 miles (19km) and provides commercial and personal sailings to the UK and beyond. Stenaline is the main service providers. 

Locally, the Strangford Lough Ferry Service operates daily and provides access to neighbouring council areas.  Ards and North Down can also be easily accessed by air taxi or a helicopter charter which operates within the UK and Ireland. 

Communications

Nationally, Northern Ireland benefits from the highest density of Fibre Optic Cables and has one of the lowest telecoms charges in Europe. Northern Ireland has a new 40-gigabit per second transatlantic and terrestrial communications system and 100% of its population has access to broadband services.

Ards and North Down Borough Council is committed to encouraging and supporting economic growth, empowering local communities and improving the lifestyles of our residents, all of which will derive benefit from improved broadband services.

The Council has already benefitted from the Connection Vouchers scheme in 2015 and from DARD Rural Broadband funding to improve connectivity in the Borough.

Ards and North Down Borough Council provides free public Wi-Fi in its five towns, Bangor, Newtownards, Comber, Holywood & Donaghadee. The Wi-Fi is provided in the outdoor public spaces and mirrors the areas in each town which also received new public realm scheme. Visitors and shoppers as well as local users can all avail of this free service. 

A £50,000 investment funded by the European Union and the Department for Agriculture and Rural Development, through Axis 4 of the European Fisheries Fund, administered by the South East Area (SEA) European Fisheries Fund in providing free WiFi to the Harbour area in Portavogie.  This offers a much needed communication channel for fishermen while they are in the harbour. 

On-line communication is also key to presenting interesting stories, activities and local business information to visitors, through mobile devices. 

Regeneration

Masterplans set out a vision for the regeneration objectives and the actions needed to support the strategic physical regeneration of a particular town or city centre.

Masterplans have been developed in partnership with the Department for Social Development (DSD) for Bangor, Holywood, Comber, Newtownards and Donaghadee.  These can be viewed here.

Investment in the Queen’s Parade area of Bangor town centre is critical to local regeneration.  Please click here for further information on the Queen's Parade redevelopment plans.

Commercial premises & business parks

Within the current district area plans Ards and North Down Borough has a variety of land zoned for industry/employment.  See here for map of zones.

Ards and North Down Business Parks vary from warehouse activities to serviced office suites.  In addition, there are 108 acres (44 hectares) of land zoned for industry and employment.  For more information regarding planning, contact the local Area Planning Office: Tel: 0300 200 7830 or email: planning@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk