Central Area Track Renewal - Lagan Junction

Translink is committed to maintaining and enhancing our infrastructure to deliver a high quality, safe, and sustainable public transport network today and for future generations.

An essential public service, public transport is fundamental to the economic, social, and environmental well-being of our society. As we emerge from the pandemic, it will be vital that well-used public transport networks return to their essential role of providing greener, healthier, and more active travel options for a better economic recovery.

The Lagan Junction to Yorkgate Track Renewal Project involves a complete renewal of the track at this location. It represents a major capital investment by the Department for Infrastructure and is essential to maintain high safety standards and operational performance for users of the railway.

Central Area Track Renewal (CATR) is a Track Renewal project in the centre of Belfast, which starts from the south side of Lanyon Station to Yorkgate station, as well as 400 metres on the Bangor line from Lagan Junction. The first element of CATR works was successfully carried out through the renewal of Lagan Junction during 2020.

The project location for the second element of this project is from Lagan Junction (where the Bangor line meets the Belfast line) to the north side of Yorkgate Station over Dargan Bridge and is known as the Lagan Junction to Yorkgate Track Renewal Project.

The two main work compound sites which will be in use throughout the duration of the project are at Bridge End and York Street.

• Enhancing the network to attract more people to choose ‘greener’ travel
• Protecting Northern Ireland’s rail infrastructure for future generations
• Enhanced network performance
• Reduced maintenance levels for the future

We have carefully considered the best timing to deliver this important project to minimise the overall impact for passengers and local residents.

All the engineering works cannot be completed in a single blockade due to the significant disruption this would cause to Translink passengers and local residents. The work will therefore be undertaken in smaller prioritised line closures as well as nightworks to help reduce disruption.

We are also mindful of the need to ensure public transport into Belfast city centre at this crucial time is maintained.

• During the main Christmas works and other weekend closures, the train line between Yorkgate Station and Belfast Lanyon Place Station will be closed
• During the main Christmas works Yorkgate Station will be closed
• A temporary timetable with bus substitution services will operate ensuring public transport routes are maintained
• Passengers with valid rail tickets will also be able to travel on scheduled Ulsterbus services 218 operating between Ballymena/Antrim and Belfast, in addition to the 212 service between Derry~Londonderry and Belfast during the closure periods.

We will be working hard with our contractors to minimise impact on local residents and mitigation measures will be implemented to minimise impact and disruption.

• Late July 2022: Compound establishment
• September and October 2022: Night-time working required for setting out operations
• Halloween 2022: One 72-hour weekend line closure
• December 2022/January 2023:  Main works are planned to take place during day and night shifts. A 9-day full line closure and closure of Yorkgate Station. Bus substitution service will be in operation during this time.
• January and February 2023: Four 29-hour weekend line closures

*Dates may be subject to change

We will keep the local community updated as this project progresses, letting you know more about our construction methods, our timescales and exactly when we will be working.

We are grateful for your support for our efforts to deliver a better rail service for everyone, helping make public transport first choice for travel, for today and for tomorrow.

If you would like to speak to a member of the project team, please contact the Babcock dedicated control centre on: 020 8629 5060, then option 5 (Rail Systems), then option 1 (Translink)

Still having a look about? You might also be interested in this...