Helen’s Bay Platform Extension Project

Translink is leading the transformation of public transport to create a better connected, healthier, and greener Northern Ireland. An effective and successful public transport network is vital for the economic, social, and environmental well-being of our society.

Translink is planning a safety-critical extension to the Belfast-bound platform at Helen’s Bay Station. This work is needed to facilitate special services for increased passenger numbers as necessary during summer months and to improve safety at busy times.

Helen’s Bay Station becomes much busier in summer and the current platform can become overcrowded when large groups travel towards Belfast.

Extending the platform will help manage this safely and reduce the risk of queues forming beyond the barriers and ensure a safer, more comfortable environment for everyone using the station.

Planned Works

By extending the Belfast-bound platform by an extra 35 metres, this project will facilitate special services for increased numbers of passengers as necessary during peak summer months, maintain the reliability of services along the line, and contribute to a more operationally resilient rail service.

To maximise efficiency and minimise impact on local residents, a substantial element of the works will be completed during two weekend line closures in February and March 2026, during which works will take place day and night over a continuous 54-hour period.

These line closures will take place on the weekends of:

Saturday 21 February – Monday 23 February

Saturday 28 February – Monday 2 March

This will allow our contractor to complete these works as quickly as possible, reducing the requirement for night working and allowing the extended platform to open ahead of the busy summer season.

Commencing in February, some night working is required prior to and following these line closures to complete any remaining works. Night shifts will take place from Sunday to Thursday on a weekly basis during these periods.

Mitigation measures will be put in place to minimise noise and other impacts on residential amenity throughout all project works, including night works. 

A temporary compound site will be established within lands to the south of the platform extension. This will only be used for storage of project materials and equipment spoil.  

Project works are due to be completed before the summer.

There are no works proposed to the Belfast to Bangor platform as part of this project, as journeys from Helen’s Bay to Bangor can be managed operationally.

Bus substitution services will be available, operating on a timetable that varies slightly from the normal rail timetable, so passengers are advised to plan their journey in advance.  Please note that the bus substitution service will call at main A2 bus stops only, terminating at Lanyon Place Station to facilitate rail connections to Belfast Grand Central Station via Botanic and City Hospital.

‘We apologise in advance for any inconvenience caused.  Scheduled rail services will operate during the period Monday 24 February – Friday 27^th February inclusive and again from Monday 2 March onwards.

Public Information Event

The Translink project team, in partnership with our engagement partner Gravis, undertook a public drop-in session on 3^rd December 2025 in Helen’s Bay Presbyterian Church to discuss the planned works. We are grateful to all those who attended this session, and we will work to ensure that the local community is kept fully updated as these essential works progress.

Other Ways to Get Involved:

• Email: helensbay@gravisplanning.com
• Phone: 028 9692 7258 (follow instructions for the Helen’s Bay Platform Extension Project)
• Post: Write to us at Gravis Planning, 1 Pavilions Office Park, Kinnegar Drive, Holywood, BT18 9JQ