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Travel Update

Important Project Updates

Hope Street Road works   - commencing January 2026

As part of the ongoing public realm works, Translink is advising road users that there will be road works taking place in the Hope Street area commencing January 2026.  

There will be no road closures as part of these works but there will be some lane closures.  Local access will be maintained at all times. 

Some diversions will be in place and road users are advised to leave extra time for their journey.  

These works, due for completion in spring 2026 will deliver improvements that create safer, more accessible streets with enhanced walking and cycling routes, encouraging active travel, boosting footfall, and supporting local businesses while fostering a vibrant, welcoming environment for everyone.

Durham Street / Boyne Bridge Place reopening date announced

Next major milestone for Belfast Grand Central Station project 

Translink has announced that Durham Street / Boyne Bridge Place is due to reopen on Saturday 29th November 2025 at 8.00am following an extensive programme of works as part of the Belfast Grand Central Station project.  

Opening again to pedestrians and road users in time for the busy festive period, Durham Street / Boyne Bridge Place also features convenient drop-off / pick-up provision and pedestrian crossings for easy direct level access to the station, communities and businesses in the area.  

Following public realm, utility improvement and re-grading works, the road design balances the safety and needs of pedestrians and active travel users with road traffic. New signage has also been installed to improve wayfinding in the area. 

Chris Conway, Translink Group Chief Executive, said: 

“This is good news for our passengers, the local communities, pedestrians and road users, providing safe, convenient and attractive access to Belfast Grand Central Station and the surrounding area. 

“The road design has been carefully considered to prioritise safety and cater for large pedestrian flows and it is a vital component in ensuring the overall success of this project.  

“Anyone passing through this area will notice the vast transformation underway including development of the impressive Saltwater Square – an attractive new public realm space outside the station due for completion next year.   

“I would like to thank the local communities, businesses, customers and the wider public for their patience and support as we worked hard to deliver this milestone. I’d also like to thank colleagues in Translink, the Department for Infrastructure and our contractors for all the progress made to date.  

“As the busy festive period gets into full swing, we look forward to welcoming more people into this area and would encourage everyone to visit Belfast Grand Central Station and enjoy the benefits of travelling by bus and train this season and beyond.” 

Duane McCreadie, Project Director at Farrans Sacyr JV, said: 
“Our team has been pushing hard to achieve this milestone ahead of the busy Christmas period and it is a credit to our supply chain who have supported us in the delivery of this programme of works.  

“We know that the reopening of Durham Street / Boyne Bridge Place will have a positive impact on the city benefitting shoppers, retailers and our hospitality industry. Collaboration has been integral in the success of Belfast Grand Central Station since the beginning of works and it has been through collaboration with our client and other stakeholders that we have been able to reach this point.” 

Public realm works will continue in the area including remaining cycle lanes, sections of footway and crossing-points. Visit https://www.translink.co.uk/bgcs for more information and download the JourneyPlanner App to plan your next trip with Translink.  

On Sunday 30th November from 2-4pm Translink will also be holding a special ‘Christmas Connected’ celebration featuring free festive fun in the station as part of the reopening weekend.  

Translink is reminding passengers to keep safe, familiarise themselves with the new road layout & to use designated pedestrian crossing points.

Station Drop-off / Pick-up 

Drop-off provision and a taxi rank for public hire taxi pick-up (Black Taxis) will be in place and various pedestrian crossings will be live along the road. 

There will be a waiting time of maximum 10 minutes in the dedicated drop-off spaces. Drop-off provision is outlined below: 

  • 8 spaces on the Station side of Boyne Bridge Place (5 general spaces and 3 dedicated public-hire taxi rank spaces) 
  • 5 spaces on the non-Station side of Boyne Bridge Place (3 general spaces and 2 dedicated public-hire taxi rank spaces)

Please note, other drop-off areas are currently available at Value Car Parks on Grosvenor Road and at St Andrew’s Square on Hope Street.  

A map showing pick up and drop off points and areas where works are continuing at Belfast Grand Central Station
A photo of Translink Chief Executive, Chris Conway, at the site of the Durham Street works

5th September 2025: Hope Street Access to St Andrew’s Square Update

Access from Hope Street to the western slip road at St Andrew’s Square will be closed from Monday 8th September to enable essential public realm improvements on Hope St. 

The footpath going west along Hope Street will be closed at that access road heading towards the Durham Street junction until further notice.  The footpath on the south side of Hope Street remains available. 

Access to the Belfast City Council pay and display car park remains available from Hope Street. 

Access to and from the Great Northern multi-storey car park remains available on the eastern side of the square, that runs along the side of the Hampton by Hilton Hotel. 

Pedestrian access to the mall also remains available. 

We would like to thank the public for their patience and support during these important works.