YORK STREET STATION

The new station represents a major capital investment by the Department for Infrastructure at the heart of North Belfast.

At the heart of York Street Station’s redevelopment is Translink’s Better.Connected Strategy. This strategy reflects our belief that public transport is about more than just moving people—it’s about fostering connections that improve quality of life for the communities we serve.  Through our Better.Connected Strategy, we strive to build infrastructure that connects people, places, and opportunities.The York Street Station project exemplifies this commitment. By working closely with the local community, listening to their needs, and involving them in the creative process, we have transformed this station into a space that reflects the aspirations of North Belfast. 

York Street Station’s design features sleek, minimalist architecture with clean lines, expansive glass panels, and a modern, streamlined aesthetic that creates a bright, open atmosphere. Sustainable materials are used throughout, reducing the station’s environmental impact while maintaining its contemporary look. The intuitive wayfinding system, with clear signage and thoughtful spatial organization, ensures passengers can navigate the station effortlessly. The design also prioritises accessibility, incorporating ramps, elevators, and wide walkways to create an inclusive and welcoming space for all. These innovative design elements combine to create a modern, sustainable, and user-friendly environment that enhances the overall passenger experience. 

Sustainability is central to Translink’s redevelopment of York Street Station. The station aligns with our Climate Positive Strategy, which seeks to reduce emissions and promote green transport solutions. Featuring energy-efficient systems such as solar panels, air-source heat pumps, and intelligent building management systems, the station is built to minimise environmental impact and help achieve Translink’s goal of being Net Zero by 2040 and Climate Positive by 2050.   The construction process itself embodies this sustainable ethos. We saved over 6,000 litres of water and sustainably recycled 12,000 tonnes of excavated material. These measures demonstrate our dedication to reducing carbon footprints and promoting a more sustainable future. 

York Street Station has been designed to promote a shift away from private car use and toward more sustainable transport options. The station’s connections to the Larne and Derry lines, as well as to Belfast Grand Central Station, encourage public transport use, while multimodal transport options—such as secure cycle parking, a Belfast Bikes station, and walking routes—support active travel. 

At Translink, we believe in deep collaboration with the communities we serve. Our partnership with Golden Thread Gallery, facilitated by Arts & Business NI, involved nearly 2,000 people from North Belfast in the station’s redevelopment.  Through creative workshops and consultations, we engaged the community in shaping public art and station design, fostering a sense of pride and ownership. Journeylines - The public art at the station plays a significant role in this transformation. Kevin Killen’s Journeylines sculpture celebrates the daily journeys of Belfast’s residents. 

As part of the Planning process, Translink undertook voluntary community consultation which demonstrated clear support for the redevelopment proposals amongst residents and existing passengers using the station. In line with our SPIRIT principles, we are responsible for our actions. We are good neighbours and corporate citizens in the communities where we operate.  We have engaged extensively with the local community and elected representatives on this project, including a wide collaboration with Ulster University and Golden Thread Gallery to develop an award-winning community arts project.

The transformation of York Street Station's underpass begins with striking artwork created by local street artists from Belfast and Derry/Londonderry, in collaboration with Seedhead Arts. These vibrant murals have turned the space into a colourful and welcoming area, enhancing both safety and community pride. Adding to the artistic transformation is Niamh McNally’s LineWork, a public poetry installation that brings a poetic touch, connecting the journeys and stories of the people who pass through. This creative revitalization reflects the spirit of the local community, and with a student competition from Ulster University’s Belfast School of Art underway, even more public art will soon become part of the station’s design. We’ve also engaged with local schools, creating opportunities for young people to participate in the project. A time capsule, filled with items from the students that reflect the present-day community and its hopes for the future, will be buried on the station grounds. This time capsule symbolises the lasting impact of this project and the connection between the station’s future and the local youth. We’ve also had yoga and poetry workshops in the station open to all passengers. 

Furthermore, our collaboration with the North Belfast Youth Choir has brought another cultural dimension to York Street Station. The choir’s performances at the operational opening of the station have united the community and added a celebratory atmosphere to the station’s transformation. This engagement not only highlights the station as a space for travel but also as a place for culture and community connection. 

York Street Station is not just a hub for commuters and residents; it has also become known as “the students’ station,” thanks to our ongoing collaboration with Ulster University (UU). Situated close to the university’s Belfast campus, the station plays a vital role in the daily lives of students, connecting them to the city centre and beyond. This partnership reflects our commitment to fostering opportunities for young people and creating spaces that resonate with their needs and aspirations. In addition, Translink’s Poetry in Motion project has seen us work closely with UU graduates and emerging poets. This project brings poetry into public spaces, and York Street Station is now home to some of these powerful works.  

We have thrown open the doors of the station to the local community, including to local boxing clubs and schools, and to a wide-ranging community arts project, as well as our Poet in Residence, Niamh McNally.