Blythefield Makeover: December 2017

The school, which caters for 232 students aged between 5 and 11, is situated on Blythe Street in Belfast, beside the railway line which will run into the Belfast Transport Hub.

The Belfast Transport Hub is a flagship transport-led regeneration project which is prioritised in the Programme for Government for funding and the planning process is underway.

The hub, on a 20-acre site incorporating the Europa Buscentre and Great Victoria Street station will transform transport links in Belfast and Northern Ireland – and between Belfast and Dublin.

Translink Group Chief Executive Chris Conway said: “As part of our commitment to work with the local communities around the planned Belfast Transport Hub site, we gathered a team of 20 staff volunteers to clean up and paint two classrooms to the school’s requirements, which will be ready when the young pupils return after their mid-term break.

Chris also said: “One of the over-arching aims of the Belfast Transport Hub project is to improve the quality of life and opportunities for people who already live, work and study in the area. The project is committed to working with public, private and voluntary organisations within local communities towards a shared vision that will maximise the benefits of the Hub.

Catherine Roulston, Principal of Blythefield Primary School said: “Our school is a listed building, making maintenance and upkeep a costly process. We are the first school in Northern Ireland to be awarded School of Sanctuary status which is creating a safe and welcoming space for newcomer children and their families. This project has brightened up our classrooms immensely and I would like to thank the Belfast Hub team for their hard work”.

Translink has also been involved in community outreach initiatives in areas adjacent to the proposed Belfast Transport Hub development including careers workshops in Grosvenor Road, Sandy Row and Donegall Road and we will continue to work closely with local communities as the Hub project progresses.