PART of a legacy of hosting the all-Ireland Fleadh in Belfast should be debunking the excuses normally used against pedestrianising even small areas of the city centre, let alone all of it.

Top of the list is the belief there must always be access for blue badge holders.

Politicians usually find this impossible to argue against for fear of appearing to penalise the disabled.

Unfortunately, any street open to blue badge drivers becomes a free-for-all.

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Only the PSNI can enforce moving vehicle offences and blue badge stop checks are not a realistic priority for finite police resources. Total closure is the only workable solution.

Disabled access to the Fleadh has been provided through low floor buses at park and ride sites.

According to UK disability campaign group Transport for All, 87% of disabled people can use a low floor bus. Most of the remaining 13% are blind, or use highly specialised mobility equipment, or have severe mental health conditions.

For all these people, pedestrianisation improves access and safety.

It is disappointing that more disability campaign groups do not make this case.

They will complain about drivers blocking pavements and dropped kerbs, endangering blind people and wheelchair users, but they........

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