Over recent months, Translink has hosted a range of political parties and business representative group visits to view the progress of the works ongoing at the Belfast Transport Hub and learn more about the project and next steps.
Over the last 12 months, Translink and their contractor GRAHAM have been working hard to deliver the first phase of enabling works, maintaining construction throughout all the challenges of COVID to ensure that this initial phase has been delivered on time.
The Belfast Transport Hub is a transport-led regeneration project located in Belfast city centre – it will replace the existing Europa Bus Centre and Great Victoria Street Train Station and will be a fully integrated transport facility, providing much-needed additional capacity on the local, national and international transport network as part of a much-needed modal shift away from the private car as we combat the ongoing climate crisis.
Ideally situated within the city, the facility will offer wide-ranging bus and rail connections, cycle storage and easy access to the city centre and many main amenities, including retail, hospitals, universities, schools and colleges and leisure, as well as onward travel solutions across Northern Ireland and beyond.
Preparatory works are well advanced and are expected to conclude before the end of this year, with the main build getting underway in early 2022 ahead of an expected entry into operational service in late 2024.
Stakeholders were updated on the background and progress of the project, with details given on upcoming milestones. We also took the opportunity to provide updates on the arts and heritage project and the planned Weavers Cross development, which will grow up around the Hub after completion and which will provide unique regenerative development opportunities for the area.
We have welcomed a wide range of stakeholders to the site in recent months, including political parties and business representatives.
Kathleen McBride, Chief Executive of Belfast One, said: ‘‘The Belfast Transport Hub and Weavers Cross development is a major vote of confidence in Belfast city centre and will be a significant factor in attracting more people to the heart of our city for work and leisure. Belfast One looks forward to watching this significant project develop further in the months and years ahead.’’
Chris McCracken, Chief Executive of Linen Quarter BID, said: ‘‘Thanks to Translink for giving the team an insight into this exciting transport-led re-generation project. We look forward to the opening of the Belfast Transport Hub and the improved transport connections. It was also good to hear about the planned Weavers Cross urban development, which will add vibrancy to Linen Quarter.
We are grateful to this wide range of stakeholders for their support and interest in the Belfast Transport Hub and the wider Weavers Cross development. We look forward to ongoing programmes of engagement throughout the lifetime of the project, working with stakeholders and decision makers to ensure that this project delivers all that it can for both Belfast and Northern Ireland.’’
