Agenda and minutes

            No apologies were reported.

No Declarations of Interest were reported.

            The information contained in the report associated with the following item is restricted in accordance with Part 1 of Schedule 6 of the Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 2014.

      Resolved – That the Committee agrees to exclude the members of the press and public from the meeting during discussion of the following item as, due to the nature of the item, there would be a disclosure of exempt information as described in Section 42(4) and Schedule 6 of the Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 2014.

            Members were also reminded that the content of ‘restricted’ reports and any discussion which took place during closed session must be treated as ‘confidential information’ and that no such information should be disclosed to the public as per Paragraph 4.15 of the Code of Conduct.  

            The Chairperson welcomed Mr. D. McAllister, Head of Belfast Grand Central Station Programme, Mr. D. Curry, General Manager Bus Services, and Ms. L. Shannon, Corporate Communications Manager, representing Translink, to the meeting.

            Mr. McAllister provided a progress update of the Belfast Grand Central Station/Weavers Cross Transport Led Regeneration Project which included details of main works, access trail and wayfinding, rail systems, interventions, and social value on the live construction.

            Mr. Curry provided a progress update of the bus and rail operations, including timetables, traffic congestion, impact of roadworks, and mitigation plans.

            During discussion, the representatives answered a wide range of questions regarding noise levels associated with night-time construction works, Translink’s communication with the public in relation to timetable and bus location changes, community engagement, incentives to increase use of public transport, language signage in Belfast Grand Central Station, wayfinding, street works and interventions, bus prioritisation progress of the Eastern Transport Plan, social value of the project for local communities, and air quality. Mr. McAllister provided detail on the continuation of public realm works and future reinstatements, together with pedestrian crossing monitoring.

            In response to a Member’s question in relation to local residents concerns regarding noise levels associated with night-time construction works, Mr. McAllister advised that, while construction noise levels were monitored to ensure they were within the permitted levels, he assured the Member that the local residents concerns would be raised and addressed with the construction team.

            Members highlighted to the representatives the impact to the public in respect of the disruption and changes to bus timetables, routes, and bus stop locations and the need for better communication from Translink in relation to providing regular updates. Ms. Shannon explained further the end terminal design of the Grand Central Station and highlighted that it had impacted some of the train connections for users.

            In response to a Member’s question in relation to the wider impact that the new schedules had made to the transport connections outside of Belfast, Mr. Curry advised that Belfast had always been seen as the regional hub and he would engage with the Member in relation to specific route issues.

            During further discussion, in response to a Member’s proposal to write to the Minister for Infrastructure and Translink requesting details of when Translink’s late-night services would come into operation over the Christmas period, Ms. Shannon advised the Committee that communication on the routes and schedules would be announced in the week commencing 28thOctober.

Proposal

            Moved by Councillor De Faoite,

            Seconded by Councillor Smyth and

      Resolved – That the Committee agrees to write to the Minister for Infrastructure requesting that consideration be given to the reduction of public transport fares over the Christmas period, as an incentive to increase the use of public transport.

            Mr. Curry highlighted that any changes to the cost of public transport fares would be a decision for the Minister for Infrastructure.                  

            In response to Members questions in relation to language signage in Belfast Grand Central Station, Ms. Shannon advised that Translink had  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2a