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Belfast Grand Central station

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Belfast Grand Central
NI Railways
Translink rail and bus station
An image of a large train station with large glass windows and a Translink logo on a wall beside a set of stairs
The station at the Grosvenor Road at soft opening, 8 September 2024
General information
Other namesBelfast Transport Hub
LocationWeavers Cross,
Belfast,
County Antrim,
Northern Ireland
Coordinates54°35′41.16″N 05°56′23.24″W / 54.5947667°N 5.9397889°W / 54.5947667; -5.9397889
Owned byNorthern Ireland Transport Holding Company[1]
Operated byTranslink
Line(s)Bangor
Derry~Londonderry
Dublin
Larne
Portadown/Newry
Platforms8
Tracks8
Train operatorsNI Railways
Iarnród Éireann (On cross border services) [2]
Bus routes
  • X1
  • X2
  • X212
  • 13
  • 13a
  • 109
  • 209
  • 209b
  • 212
  • 238
  • 238b
  • 250
  • 250b
  • 251
  • 251a
  • 251b
  • 251c
  • 270
  • 271
  • 273
  • 300
  • 300a
  • 513
  • 600
  • 650
  • 651
Bus stands26
Bus operators
ConnectionsBus, Taxi, Trains, Bikes
Construction
Structure typeAt-grade
ParkingGreat Northern Car Park
535 spaces
9 Handicap Spaces [3]
Bicycle facilities300 cycle parking spaces[2]
AccessibleYes[2]
ArchitectJohn McAslan + Partners [4]
Other information
Fare zone1 [5]
Key dates
2019Construction started
8 September 2024Soft Opening Bus Services start
13 October 2024Official Opening
Route map

(Click to expand)
Year
closed
Great Victoria Street
2024
Belfast Grand Central NI Railways
Westlink / Central Junction
to Lanyon Place
NI Railways
Adelaide NI Railways
Balmoral NI Railways
Finaghy NI Railways
M1
Dunmurry NI Railways
Derriaghy NI Railways
Lambeg NI Railways
Hilden NI Railways
Lisburn NI Railways
Knockmore
2005
Maze
1974
Broomhedge Halt
1973
Damhead
1973
Moira NI Railways
M1
Pritchard's Bridge
1844
Lurgan NI Railways
Goodyear Halt
1983
Seagoe
1842
Portadown NI Railways
1965
1957
Tanderagee
1965
Scarva NI Railways
Acton Crossing
1954
Poyntzpass NI Railways
Augheranter Crossing
1954
Knockarney Crossing
1965
Goraghwood
1965
to Warrenpoint
1965
Mullaghglass
1901
Newry NI Railways Dublin Suburban Rail
Wellington Inn
1852
Adavoyle
1933
Mt. Pleasant
1965
M1
Dundalk Clarke
Dublin Suburban Rail
Dundalk Junct. station
1894
to Enniskillen│to Greenore
1957/1952
Castlebellingham
1976
1975
Dromin Junction
1975
Dunleer
1984
Newfoundwell
Drogheda MacBride
Dublin Suburban Rail
Oldcastle branch line
(freight only)
Laytown
Dublin Suburban Rail
Laytown Viaduct
Mosney
2000
Gormanston
Dublin Suburban Rail
Balbriggan
Dublin Suburban Rail
Ardgillan
1867
Skerries
Dublin Suburban Rail
Skerries Golf Club Halt
1960
Baldongan
1847
Rush and Lusk
Dublin Suburban Rail
Rogerstown Viaduct
Donabate
Dublin Suburban Rail
Malahide
Dublin Suburban Rail
Portmarnock
Dublin Suburban Rail
Clongriffin
Dublin Suburban Rail
Baldoyle
1852
Howth Junction
& Donaghmede
Dublin Suburban Rail
Kilbarrack
Dublin Area Rapid Transit
Raheny
Dublin Area Rapid Transit
Harmonstown
Dublin Area Rapid Transit
Killester
Dublin Area Rapid Transit
Clontarf
1956
Clontarf Road
Dublin Area Rapid Transit
North Wall Yard
to Alexandra Road
Docklands
Dublin Suburban Rail
Dublin Connolly
Luas
Trans-Dublin Line
& Rosslare Line
Dublin Suburban Rail#Northern Commuter = Northern Commuter
Belfast–Newry line#Newry/Portadown Line = Newry/Portadown Line
Year
closed
Great Victoria Street
2024
Belfast Grand Central Belfast-Bangor railway line Belfast-Dublin railway line Belfast-Larne railway line Belfast-Newry railway line
City Hospital Belfast-Bangor railway line Belfast-Larne railway line
Botanic Belfast-Bangor railway line Belfast-Larne railway line
Lanyon Place Belfast-Bangor railway line Belfast-Larne railway line
York Street Belfast-Larne railway line
Yorkgate
2024
York Road depot
York Road
1992
Fortwilliam Traincare Depot
Whiteabbey Belfast-Larne railway line
1963
Monkstown
1981
Mossley
1982
Mossley West
Ballyclare Junction
1961
Ballyclare branch line
to Lisnalinchy, Ballyclare
1930
Ballyrobert
1920
Doagh
1970
Templepatrick
1981
Dunadry
1954
Muckamore
1961
Antrim
Cookstown Junction
1976
1955
Kellswater
1971
Andraid
1850
1950
Ballymena
1940
Cullybackey
Glarryford
1973
Killagan
1973
Dunloy
1976
Ballymoney
1950
1950
Macfin
1954
Coleraine Coleraine-Portrush railway line
Coleraine Harbour
1963
Coleraine Waterside
1861
Barmouth
1856
Castlerock
Castlerock Tunnel
Downhill Tunnel
Downhill
1973
Umbra
1861
Magilligan
1976
Bellarena
Limavady Junction
1976
Ballykelly
1954
Carrichue
1954
Faughanvale
1859
Eglinton
1973
Derry~Londonderry
Year
closed
Great Victoria Street
2024
Belfast Grand Central Belfast-Bangor railway line Belfast-Derry railway line Belfast-Dublin railway line Belfast-Newry railway line
City Hospital Belfast-Bangor railway line Belfast-Derry railway line
Botanic Tunnel
Botanic Belfast-Bangor railway line Belfast-Derry railway line
Lanyon Place Belfast-Bangor railway line Belfast-Derry railway line
York Street Belfast-Derry railway line
Yorkgate
2024
York Road depot
1992
Greencastle
1954
Whitehouse
1954
Whiteabbey Belfast-Derry railway line
Bleach Green
1977
Jordanstown
1963
Greenisland
Trooperslane
Mount
1977
Harbour branch line
to Carrickfergus Harbour
Clipperstown
Carrickfergus
Barn
1977
Downshire
Eden
1977
Kilroot
1977
Whitehead
Whitehead Excursion
RPSI depot
Ballycarry
Magheramorne
Glynn
Larne Town
Larne Harbour ferry/water interchange
Location
Belfast Grand Central is located in Northern Ireland
Belfast Grand Central
Belfast Grand Central
Location in Northern Ireland
Belfast Grand Central is located in island of Ireland
Belfast Grand Central
Belfast Grand Central
Location on the island of Ireland
Map
Location in Belfast city

Belfast Grand Central station (originally the Belfast Transport Hub[6]) is a railway and bus station in the city centre of Belfast, Northern Ireland. It has replaced Great Victoria Street railway station and the Europa Buscentre.[7][8] It is built next to its predecessors, in a new neighbourhood called Weaver's Cross.[9] The first bus service, to Dublin, departed from the station on 8 September 2024, and the first rail service, also to Dublin, departed from the station on 13 October 2024.[10][11][12]

Context

[edit]

The first railway station in Ulster was opened on the site of the former Great Victoria Street station in 1839 on the Ulster Railway. It became the northern terminus of the GNR's non-stop Dublin–Belfast express in 1947, and in 1962, platform 5 was removed to allow construction of a bus station providing a truly integrated bus-rail station for the first time in Belfast's history.[13] Northern Ireland Railways (NIR) closed the railway part of the station altogether in 1976 and the original buildings were demolished, being replaced by the Europa Hotel and Great Northern Mall. Railway services resumed, however, in 1995 with the opening of a rebuilt Great Victoria Street station, integrated with the Europa Buscentre.[14]

Station location and facilities

[edit]

The station is located on a 8-hectare (860,000 sq ft) site owned by The Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company (trading as Translink) between the former Europa Buscentre and Belfast Great Victoria Street railway station,[2] both of which it replaces.[9] The station's capacity is designed to cater for twenty million passenger journeys annually, more than the twelve million combined capacity of the pre-existing bus and railway station.[9] In addition to rail and bus improvements, the station also has cycle and taxi provision for enhanced connectivity, with 300 cycle parking spaces.[15][16]It is said to be the "largest integrated transport facility on the island of Ireland".[15] During construction the transport hub was described as one of the Northern Ireland Executive's "flagship projects".[16]

A platform sign at Belfast Grand Central Station

Railway station

[edit]

The new station has eight platforms[8] (double that of Great Victoria Street and Belfast Lanyon Place), composed of four island platforms with two faces each. Two of these islands are short and two long.[17] Like the former Great Victoria Street, it is the terminus of Northern Ireland Railways' Derry, Larne, Bangor and Newry lines. This also means that the Portadown to Bangor route no longer has direct through traffic and is divided into two separate lines. The Enterprise express service to Dublin has moved from Lanyon Place as part of the project, meaning the flagship express service between Belfast and Dublin terminates here.[18]

Bus station

[edit]
A look towards the bus stands within Belfast Grand Central Station on opening day 2024

The bus station features 26 stands, eight more than the previous Europa Bus Centre. Seating is available throughout, with priority seating at select stands. The station also offers a range of amenities, including ATMs, vending machines, automated ticket machines, a help desk, a water refill station, and a sensory pod. There are accessible male and female restrooms, as well as Changing Places facilities.

Weaver's Cross

[edit]

The area surrounding the hub will become a new neighbourhood which Translink has named 'Weaver's Cross'.[19] This 100,000 m2 site is planned to comprise leisure, residential and commercial facilities.[20]

Station Quarter

[edit]

Weaver's Cross, combined with the station and a rejuvenated Glengall Street, Hope Street and Durham Street, will become Station Quarter, Belfast's ninth Cultural Quarter.[21]

History

[edit]

Construction

[edit]

By February 2021, the first stage of enabling works was completed by construction contractor company Graham Construction,[22][23] clearing the 8-hectare (860,000 sq ft) for construction.[24] The next stage of development, from February 2021, involved the relocating of bus engineering and operation facilities to new accommodation, and the construction of a new bus wash facility, engineering garage, storage facilities and a bus parking area.[24] The Main Works and Infrastructure Enhancement phases of the project were expected to be conducted in 2022,[24] with the project due for completion in 2024/2025.[9][24] The project was said to potentially create 400 jobs over a five-year period.[25]

The main works of the project were delivered by a joint venture of Farrans Construction and Sacyr, with railway system works by Babcock.[26] The Busway Bridge was completed in August 2023.[27]

In April 2024, it was announced that Great Victoria Street station would close permanently on 10 May 2024, several months before the new Grand Central station was scheduled to open in autumn 2024.

On 29 May 2024, the first "The Grand Connection Roadshow" was held at Lanyon Place Train Station to communicate plans for the facility. The roadshow toured various locations throughout Northern Ireland, including shopping centres and train and bus stations.[28]

On 3 July 2024, Translink closed the rail line between Lisburn and Belfast Lanyon Place to facilitate the Grand Central enabling works scheduled for the summer. All stations between these two points were closed, with a temporary shuttle service running between Portadown and Lisburn. Enterprise passengers traveling to/from Belfast took a bus to/from Newry train station.[29]

On 8 July 2024, Translink launched a series of 11 videos across all its social media channels titled "The Grand Connection: Behind the Scenes at Belfast Grand Central Station." These videos showcased the progress made since the closure of Great Victoria Street station in May and highlighted how stakeholders and interest groups contributed to the station's development.[30]

On 13 August 2024, the first trains began arriving at the station for driver training runs. A NIR 4000 Class train operated these runs between Belfast Lanyon Place and Belfast Grand Central and Adelaide Depot.[31][32]

On 19 August 2024, Translink announced that bus operations at Belfast Grand Central would commence on Sunday, 8 September 2024. The final day of operations at the Europa Buscentre was to be Saturday, 7 September, 2024.

On 4 September 2024, Translink invited the press for a final preview of Grand Central Station before its official opening. It also announced that the station's first departure would be the X1 Goldline bus service to Dublin Busáras, scheduled for 8 September 2024 at 05:00 UTC+1.[33][34]

Opening

[edit]

On 8 September 2024, Belfast Grand Central welcomed its first bus passengers, with services to Dublin Busáras via Dublin Airport and Belfast International Airport. Amir Kumat was reportedly the first passenger to enter the station, heading for Belfast International Airport. The former Europa Buscentre was converted into a corridor connecting Belfast Grand Central to Great Victoria Street.[35][36][37]

On 23 September 2024, the cross-border Enterprise service began trial runs at the new station, in advance of its relocation from Belfast Lanyon Place.[38]

On 3 October 2024, Translink announced that train services at Belfast Grand Central Station would commence on 13 October 2024, which marked the reopening of the Belfast to Lisburn Line.

Rail services began operating from the station on Sunday, 13 October 2024. The first departure was the 08:05 Enterprise service to Dublin Connolly, with a once-a-week stop at Lisburn and Lurgan, continuing on to Portadown, Newry, Dundalk Clarke, Drogheda MacBride, and finally, Dublin Connolly. The first arrival was the 09:15 Translink NI Railways service from Portadown. On board this train was the Minister for Infrastructure, John O'Dowd. Also present at the commencement of services was Translink's CEO, Chris Conway. The first 2000 passengers to use the station received a commemorative ticket.[39][40][41][42]

Controversies

[edit]

Some issues with the scheme have arisen, including:

  • The planning permission, granted in 2019 for the construction of the new Belfast Transport Hub,[43] included a provision for the removal of the Boyne Bridge, where a bridge was originally built in 1863 to span the railway line leading into Great Victoria Street station, with the current bridge dating to 1936.[44] The bridge is to be replaced by a four-lane road with crossing points for pedestrians and there is to be a new plaza and event-space called Saltwater Square leading up to the entrance of Belfast Grand Central station.[45] Some residents from the Sandy Row district, which lies at the southern end of the Boyne Bridge, as well as architectural and heritage campaigners, opposed the decision to dismantle the bridge on grounds of pedestrian safety and of the "bleakness" of architecture of the proposed Saltwater Square and also because of the bridge's place in the history of Belfast's development.[46] The Sandy Row end of the Boyne Bridge, at its junction with Hope St, contains remnants of a bridge built in 1642, originally named the Great Bridge and later renamed the Saltwater Bridge, spanning marshy and sandy land and, which local folklore describes as having been ridden over by King William of Orange as he passed through Belfast on his way to the Battle of the Boyne in 1690.[47] During the construction works in 1936, workmen unearthed wooden pipes that had been made by boring through whole tree-trunks and then connected together using iron fixings. These were understood to be part of the first attempt, in 1680, to pipe a reliable source of clean, fresh water to the new town of Belfast.[48]
  • The lack of integration with the new Glider rapid transport system, criticised as a missed opportunity for the transport hub nature of Grand Central.[49]
  • The replacement of the large roof covering the railway platforms in the original plans with smaller canopies over each island platform sparked an outcry among railway campaigners. Translink responded, stating that the changes to the roof design of the new Belfast Grand Central Station were driven by considerations of "best design, passenger comfort, and air quality."[50]
  • The absence of Irish language signage has disappointed Irish language campaigners, with Ciarán Mac Giolla Bhéin from An Dream Dearg stating, "This is not just a transport hub for Belfast; it serves people from across the entire island of Ireland. It's crucial that it reflects our identity as a city." A Translink spokesperson responded: "Translink is continuing to engage with all interested parties regarding multi-lingual signage at Belfast Grand Central Station for the official opening in the autumn of 2025."On September 12th, an Irish language protest took place at Grand Central Station, with a large An Dream Dearg banner displayed across the station floor. Protesters of all ages participated, holding signs with station names written in Irish. Eoghan Ó Gairmile from An Dream Dearg expressed their frustration, stating, That they deeply disappointed to see the new Grand Central Station launch without any provision for dual-language signage.[51][52][53][54][55]
  • Some have complained that traffic has become congested around the new station during rush hour, with buses delayed by over 60 minutes or being cancelled. John O'Dowd, acknowledged that the new station has contributed to the issue but also highlighted the ongoing resurfacing work on the Sydenham Bypass as a significant factor.[56][57][58]

Services

[edit]

Rail services

[edit]

Grand Central acts as the terminus for all active railway lines in Northern Ireland, with the exception of the Coleraine-Portrush line.

On the Bangor Line, the station operates a half-hourly stopping service to Bangor on weekdays and Saturdays, with additional express services at peak times. On Sundays, the line reduces to hourly operation between Grand Central and Bangor.[59]

The Derry~Londonderry Line operates an hourly service to Derry~Londonderry on weekdays and Saturdays, with some extra peak services terminating at Coleraine. On Sundays, this services remains hourly, however the terminus alternates every hour between Derry~Londonderry and Portrush. This results in only a two-hourly service to all stations beyond Coleraine.[60]

The Enterprise currently operates as an hourly service on the Dublin Line to Dublin Connolly via Portadown, Newry, Dundalk Clarke and Drogheda MacBride from Monday to Saturday. The Sunday service is two-hourly.[61][62][63]

On the Larne Line, the station operates half-hourly services on weekdays and Saturdays. The terminus for these services alternates every half-hour between Larne Harbour and Whitehead. Additional peak-time services operate to Carrickfergus and Larne Town. This pattern results in an hourly service to Larne Harbour. The service reduces to hourly after 7pm. On Sundays, an hourly service runs on this line with the same alternating terminus pattern - this has the effect of providing a two-hourly service to all stations beyond Whitehead.[64]

The Portadown/Newry Line operates a half-hourly stopping service to Portadown on weekdays and Saturdays, with additional services (some operating as expresses) at peak times to Lisburn and Newry. On Sundays the line reduces to hourly operation between Grand Central and Portadown, with Newry only being served by the last train of the day. No trains stop at Scarva and Poyntzpass on Sundays.[65]

Preceding station   Northern Ireland Railways   Following station
Terminus   Northern Ireland Railways
Belfast-Derry
  City Hospital
  Northern Ireland Railways
Belfast-Larne
 
  Northern Ireland Railways
Belfast-Bangor
 
  Northern Ireland Railways
Belfast-Newry
  Adelaide
  Enterprise
Belfast-Dublin
  Portadown
or
Lisburn (Sundays only)

Bus services

[edit]

The first bus to use Grand Central's bus station was the X1 Goldline bus service to Dublin Busáras on 8 September 2024.[33][66][67]

Preceding station   Ulsterbus   Following station
Newry Buscentre   Goldline
Belfast-Dublin (Route X1)
  Terminus
Dublin Airport   Goldline
Belfast-Dublin (Route X2)
  Terminus
Adelaide Street   Ulsterbus
Belfast - Drumbo (Route 13)
  Terminus
Loughview Park & Ride   Goldline
Belfast-Cookstown (Route 209)
  Terminus
Toomebridge By-Pass   Goldline
Belfast-Derry (Route 212)
  Terminus
Adelaide Street   Goldline
Belfast-Downpatrick (Route 215)
Belfast-Newcastle (Route 237)
  Terminus
Ballynahinch   Goldline
Belfast-Newcastle (Route 237A)
  Terminus
Belfast High Street   Goldline
Belfast-Ballymena-Coleraine (Route 218)
Belfast-Ballymena-Coleraine (Route 219)
  Terminus
Ballymena Railway Station   Goldline
Belfast-Giant's Causeway (Route 221)
  Terminus
Portadown Market Street   Goldline
Belfast-Armagh/Monaghan (Route 251)
  Terminus
Dungannon Bus Station   Goldline
Belfast-Enniskillen (Route 261)
  Terminus
  Goldline
Belfast-Derry via Omagh (Route 273)
 
Belfast International Airport   Airport Express
Airport Express (Route 300)
  Terminus
Belfast City Airport   Airport Express
Airport Express (Route 600)
  Terminus
Stranraer Ferry Terminal
via Stena Line
  Eurolines
Belfast-London
  Terminus
  Eurolines
Belfast-Edinburgh
 
Park Centre Belfast   Eamonn Rooney
Newry Express (Route ??)
  Queen's University
Sprucefield Shopping Centre   Hannon Coach
Glasgow Express (Route ??)
  Belfast, Stena Line Terminal
[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Information about ownership". whatdotheyknow.co.uk. Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company. 17 June 2024. Archived from the original on 18 July 2024. Retrieved 18 July 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d "Belfast Grand Central Station". www.translink.co.uk. Archived from the original on 1 November 2023. Retrieved 23 July 2022.
  3. ^ "Great Northern Car Park". 3 June 2024. Archived from the original on 3 June 2024. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
  4. ^ "Belfast Grand Central". mcaslan.co.uk. John McAslan + Partners. 19 May 2016. Archived from the original on 1 December 2023. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  5. ^ "iLink Zone information". translink.co.uk. Translink. Archived from the original on 8 November 2023. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  6. ^ "Belfast Transport Hub to be called Grand Central Station". 8 April 2022. Archived from the original on 26 June 2022. Retrieved 18 July 2024.
  7. ^ "Work on £175m Belfast transport hub to start in 2018, says Translink boss". BelfastTelegraph.co.uk. ISSN 0307-1235. Archived from the original on 14 February 2018. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  8. ^ a b Corscadden, Jane (7 April 2022). "Translink announces name of new Belfast transport hub". BelfastLive. Archived from the original on 23 July 2022. Retrieved 23 July 2022.
  9. ^ a b c d "Belfast Transport Hub to be called Grand Central Station". BBC News. 8 April 2022. Archived from the original on 26 June 2022. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  10. ^ MacAuley, Conor (6 September 2024). "New £340m transport hub a 'game changer' for Belfast". RTÉ.ie. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
  11. ^ "Grand Central Station: Trains start running from Belfast station". BBC News. 12 October 2024. Retrieved 29 October 2024.
  12. ^ Black, Rebecca (6 September 2024). "Belfast Grand Central Station to be a 'game-changer' for public transport". Irish Independent. Archived from the original on 6 September 2024. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
  13. ^ Sinclair, Ian (2009). Along UTA Lines. Newtownards: Colourpoint. p. 10. ISBN 978-1-906578-49-7.
  14. ^ "Geograph:: Great Victoria Street railway station – Belfast [56 photos] in J3373". www.geograph.org.uk. Archived from the original on 14 February 2018. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  15. ^ a b "Minister Mallon cuts sod on the new Belfast Transport Hub". Department for Infrastructure. 18 March 2022. Archived from the original on 9 May 2022. Retrieved 23 July 2022.
  16. ^ a b "Work begins on new Belfast transport hub". Belfast Media Group. Archived from the original on 23 July 2022. Retrieved 23 July 2022.
  17. ^ "Belfast Transport Hub - Future Belfast". www.futurebelfast.com. 31 January 2016. Archived from the original on 14 February 2018. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  18. ^ "A grand welcome awaits…Belfast Grand Central Station" (PDF). translink.co.uk. Archived (PDF) from the original on 7 September 2024. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
  19. ^ McGonagle, Suzanne (15 March 2017). "Video: Neighbourhood surrounding new Belfast transport hub to be called Weavers Cross". The Irish News. Archived from the original on 14 February 2018. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  20. ^ Translink. "The Belfast Hub - Translink". www.translink.co.uk. Archived from the original on 14 February 2018. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  21. ^ "Belfast Hub Public Consultation Boards" (PDF). Translink. February–March 2017. Archived (PDF) from the original on 9 August 2017. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  22. ^ "Contractor announced for initial work on Belfast transport hub". ITV News. 6 November 2019. Archived from the original on 23 July 2022. Retrieved 23 July 2022.
  23. ^ "Translink names contractor to start works on new Belfast Transport Hub". Weavers Cross. Archived from the original on 20 January 2022. Retrieved 23 July 2022.
  24. ^ a b c d Scott, Sarah (19 February 2021). "Statement as first key milestone reached for Belfast Transport Hub". BelfastLive. Archived from the original on 23 July 2022. Retrieved 23 July 2022.
  25. ^ "Belfast Transport Hub to create 400 jobs says Translink". BBC News. 6 November 2019. Archived from the original on 23 July 2022. Retrieved 23 July 2022.
  26. ^ Kennedy, Catherine (17 February 2022). "Main construction to begin on £175M Belfast transport hub". New Civil Engineer. Archived from the original on 31 July 2022. Retrieved 23 July 2022.
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  28. ^ "The Grand Connection Roadshow". www.translink.co.uk. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
  29. ^ "BGCS Works". translink.co.uk. Archived from the original on 8 July 2024. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
  30. ^ TranslinkNI (8 July 2024). The Grand Connection: Behind the Scenes at Belfast Grand Central Station (1). Retrieved 15 August 2024 – via YouTube.
  31. ^ TranslinkNI (14 August 2024). Grand Central Station - First Train. Retrieved 19 August 2024 – via YouTube.
  32. ^ Train Videos NI (13 August 2024). NIR 4000 Class DMU 4001 on Driver Training Test runs into Belfast Grand Central station. 12/8/24. Archived from the original on 15 August 2024. Retrieved 15 August 2024 – via YouTube.
  33. ^ a b "Journey Planner for First Services from Belfast Grand Central Station". translink.co.uk. 4 September 2024. Archived from the original on 4 September 2024. Retrieved 4 September 2024.
  34. ^ "Belfast Grand Central Station to be a 'game-changer' for public transport". Irish Independent. 6 September 2024. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
  35. ^ "Belfast Grand Central Station welcomes first customers". The Irish News. 8 September 2024. Archived from the original on 8 September 2024. Retrieved 8 September 2024.
  36. ^ "Belfast: Grand Central Station opens to the public". www.bbc.com. Retrieved 8 September 2024.
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  38. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 23 September 2024. Retrieved 23 September 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  39. ^ Corscadden, Jane (13 October 2024). "Trains up and running at new Belfast station as first services arrive". Belfast Live. Archived from the original on 13 November 2024. Retrieved 13 October 2024.
  40. ^ "O'Dowd welcomes commencement of rail services at Grand Central Station". Infrastructure. 13 October 2024. Retrieved 13 October 2024.
  41. ^ "Translink on X;If you're using Belfast Grand Central Station for rail services tomorrow, keep an eye out for one of our limited edition first day commemorative tickets! 👀 🚅". x.com. Retrieved 13 October 2024.
  42. ^ https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cp39pp0yepwo
  43. ^ "Weavers Cross, Belfast Transport Hub, Frequently Asked Questions". WeaversCross.co.uk. 13 October 2024. Archived from the original on 29 February 2024. Retrieved 13 October 2024.
  44. ^ "Don't tear down Belfast Boyne Bridge my grandad helped rebuild, Translink urged". Belfast Telegraph. 17 November 2016. Archived from the original on 9 October 2024. Retrieved 13 October 2024.
  45. ^ "Calls to save Belfast's 'historic' Boyne Bridge from demolition". Belfast Live. 16 July 2022. Archived from the original on 12 September 2024. Retrieved 13 October 2024.
  46. ^ Kenwood, Michael (30 June 2022). "Belfast Orange Order among objectors to "bleak" plan for Weaver's Cross". BelfastLive. Archived from the original on 23 July 2022. Retrieved 23 July 2022.
  47. ^ "Boyne bridge battle: Heritage group considers last-minute legal move to stop demolition despite threat of ruinous costs". Belfast News Letter. 10 October 2024. Retrieved 13 October 2024.
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