Minutes:
The Committee was advised that Mr. C. Conway, Chief Executive, Translink, and Mr. L. McComb, Project Director, Transport Hub, were present and they were admitted to the meeting.
Mr. Conway presented the Committee with an overview of the proposed plans for the new Transport Hub for Belfast. He advised the Members that significant public consultation had been undertaken on the proposals for the Hub and that consultation had closed the previous week. The Committee was advised, however, that the representatives from Translink would seek to address any queries from the Members and incorporate any comments into the consultation process.
Mr. McComb presented the masterplan vision of the Transport Hub to the Committee and outlined that it would act as a major gateway to the City. The Members were advised that it would be four or five storeys high with two main entrances on Durham Street and the Grosvenor Road. He reported that there would be ample wayfinding signage within and around the Hub, with pedestrian routes and cycle ways travelling through it and with clear links to the Belfast Rapid Transit system on the Grosvenor Road. The Members were also advised that there would be clear signage for the two major hospitals and universities. He reported that the Hub would connect through the mall into the business district of the Linen Quarter, and would also connect into the urban village of Sandy Row.
The Project Director advised the Committee that his team was working closely with the Strategic Investment Board in relation to the Buy Social clause, in order to incorporate apprentices and ‘new starts’ into the development of the Hub. He also reported that they were hoping to create over 400 construction jobs and long term sources of employment.
In relation to the future of Central Station, the Chief Executive of Translink confirmed that, while it would remain a major halt for the east of the city, the Enterprise rail service between Belfast and Dublin would be based at the new Hub.
In response to a number of Member’s questions regarding the number of different ticket systems across Translink’s services, Mr. Conway confirmed that a new integrated ticketing system would be implemented by end of 2018, similar to Transport for London’s Oyster card. He also advised the Members that the online reservation process for buses to Dublin airport would be streamlined in the next few months, allowing passengers to print their tickets, thereby guaranteeing them a seat at the selected time.
A Member asked the representatives if the Great Northern car park was going to be demolished and, if so, whether the car parking spaces would be included within the development of the new Hub. The Chief Executive of Translink advised that it was considered necessary to demolish the existing car park and advised that he felt there needed to be a discussion as to whether there was a need for any further car parking within the city centre.
The Chief Executive confirmed to the Members that the Boyne Bridge was to be removed as keeping it would strongly limit the level of regeneration which was possible. He advised the Members that, while there was no design which allowed them to keep the Boyne Bridge, they wanted to incorporate the story of the old Saltwater Bridge, which had pre-dated the Boyne Bridge, into the station square, in order to celebrate and maintain the history of the area.
The Chairperson thanked the representatives for their presentation and they retired from the meeting.