Northern Ireland

Boyne Bridge to be ‘sensitively dismantled’, Translink promises as key Belfast city centre road to be closed for up to 12 months

Stretch of Durham Street close to Grand Central Station closed from Saturday as works begin

Boyne Bridge in Belfast.
PICTURE COLM LENAGHAN
Boyne Bridge in Belfast. PICTURE COLM LENAGHAN

Translink is promising the Boyne Bridge in south Belfast will be “sensitively dismantled” as part of major works close to Grand Central Station that will the see the closure for up to 12 months of a key city road.

The work is due to start on Saturday ahead of the planned first rail services from the station the following day.

Durham Street will be fully closed between Grosvenor Road and Hope Street during the works, which will include removing the Boyne Bridge, an important landmark for members of the Orange Order and other loyalists.

Central Station in Belfast
The entrance on Durham Street to the new Central Station in Belfast. PICTURE: MAL MCCANN

On Saturday, the Ulster Young Defenders Flute Band were the last to parade over the bridge.

“The works will involve sensitively dismantling the existing 1936 Durham Street/Boyne Bridge to facilitate the safe completion of the first phase of streets works associated with the new Station,” a Translink spokesperson said.

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“Our contractor will seek to preserve key elements of the bridge, and we are continuing to engage with the local community on an arts and heritage programme which will utilise these materials for future projects.”

Translink is warning road users to “expect some delays” during the works.

Pacemaker Press 08-09-2024:  A new £340m public transport hub has opened in the centre of Belfast with the start of bus services.
Translink has estimated the new Grand Central Station will cater for up to 20 million journeys a year.
The Europa bus centre closed its doors at 23:30 BST on Saturday, with the first bus departures - to Dublin and to Belfast International Airport - from the new station at 05:00 BST on Sunday.
Picture By: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press.
Rail services are planned to begin on Sunday from Grand Central Station

“We are encouraging everyone to consider using public transport and play their part in helping reduce traffic in the city and the negative impact this has on air quality, social and economic wellbeing,” the company said.

Boyne Bridge in Belfast.
PICTURE COLM LENAGHAN
Boyne Bridge to be "sensitively dismantled" PICTURE COLM LENAGHAN

It added that there are already “bus service enhancements on some popular Goldliner routes, and some bus passenger priority measures are also in place”.

“Clearly signed diversionary routes will be in place for motorists that need to travel to the city and everyone is asked to follow these or to find an alternative route or way to travel.”