Airport warns of potential travel disruption due to Grand Central Station works

With construction of Belfast Grand Central Station well underway and due to open later this year, Belfast City Airport has issued a warning of potential disruption for passengers travelling to and from the site via public transport.

The airport has issued a full list of milestones and key dates for passengers, who are also being encouraged to visit Translink’s website for the latest news, updates, and information.

Translink has recently announced changes to bus and train timetables from early July, as well as some bus stop changes in the city centre. The changes are being introduced to ensure people can continue to move into and around Belfast as significant public realm improvement works intensify around the new bus and rail station.

READ MORE: Details of lane closure on main Belfast city centre road as Grand Central Station work continues

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From next Monday, July 1st, adjustments will be made to some city centre bus stops with relocation of some Ulsterbus services to Laganside Buscentre to help maintain bus service reliability and performance during increased traffic pressures on the city centre network.

Essential engineering works will also take place on the railway line between Belfast and Lisburn, with a line closure planned from Wednesday, July 3rd until early autumn.

Latest updates and key dates

15th April – August 2024 – Public realm improvements on Grosvenor Road. Footpath and lane closure required westbound from before Durham Street junction to junction with A12 (Westlink). Left turn on to Durham Street and A12 (Westlink) remains operational.

7th May – August 2024 – Footpath and cycle lane closure on Glengall Street and Great Victoria Street to facilitate public realm improvements.

June – August 2024 – Great Victoria Street Crossing / footpath alignment requiring a partial footpath closure.

May – 2nd July 2024 – Until the summer line closure commences on Wednesday 3rd July, the rail line remains open but no longer serving Great Victoria Street Station.

Passengers are able to access the city from the new York Street Station, Lanyon Place, Botanic or City Hospital Stations and walk or cycle to their destination. Passengers can also use scheduled Metro or Glider services. Valid rail tickets can be used on Metro and Glider Services to interchange between these stations.

All other lines remain open. The Europa Bus Centre remains operational.

Wednesday 3rd July – Early Autumn 2024 – Summer railway line closure. The rail line will close between Belfast Lanyon Place and Lisburn during July and August the southern corridor will operate from Lisburn southwards to Portadown/ Newry.

Express bus substitution services will operate between Europa Buscentre (off Glengall Street / Gt Victoria Street) and Lisburn Train Stations every 10mins ( Monday to Saturday & every hour on a Sunday).

A direct express shuttle will operate between Europa Buscentre & Lanyon Place every 30 minutes at quarter past the hour and quarter to the hour.

Passengers can also walk, cycle or use scheduled Metro or Glider services to interchange between Belfast Stations (York Street, Lanyon Place, Botanic, City Hospital)

Note: Lisburn Road Train Stations will be serviced by Metro and Ulsterbus Lisburn Road scheduled bus services. Valid rail tickets can be used on Metro/Glider Services to interchange between these stations.

All other rail lines will remain open from Belfast Lanyon Place / York Street Station to Derry~Londonderry, Larne and Bangor. Cross Border Services will operate from Portadown with coach transfers from Belfast to Newry to connect with the Enterprise Train.

July/August 2024 – New Ulsterbus and Metro timetables will be live from Monday 1st July.

Autumn 2024 – Operational Station Opening. Rail services will move into the new station and 16 bus stands will be operational.

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