About time city centre road reopens, businesses say

Durham Street is due to reopen on Saturday, Translink has said

A Belfast city centre road that has been closed for more than a year is set to reopen on Saturday, Translink have announced.

Durham Street was closed in October 2024 to accommodate the demolition of the Boyne Bridge as part of works around Grand Central Station.

On Monday the transport operator said it would reopen in time for the "busy festive period".

Welcoming the news, some business owners on Sandy Row told BBC News NI the reopening was overdue.

Paul McCann, a shop owner in the area, said his and other businesses had been cut off from the rest of Belfast since the road was closed.

Paul McCann said he had to close one of his shops in the area after the bridge closed

He said he had to close another of his shops as a direct result.

"I'm just basically trying to save this here shop as, the footfall out there, it's all gone, what with the work Translink and the hub are doing," he said.

Mr McCann added that he would not believe Translink until he saw the road open himself.

"But it is about time [the road reopens]," he added.

'Buzzing' to see it open

The owner of Kin Cuts barbershop on Sandy Row said he was "buzzing" for the road to reopen

The owner of Kins Cuts barbershop on Sandy Row, Hope Solomon, said his business, which has been operating for about six years, also took a hit when Durham Street closed.

"It's had a big effect on the business, it's slowed the rate of clients especially the walk-ins I'd say by about 60%," he said.

"Before the bridge was closed we were getting new people coming in, like tourists and everything.

"We'd be buzzing to see it open."

Durham Street has been closed since October 2024

Translink said the road was due to reopen at 08:00 GMT on 29 November.

The public transport provider added the area would now feature a drop-off and pick-up point, as well as a pedestrian crossing allowing for "easy direct level access to the station, communities and businesses in the area".

Chris Conway, Translink's chief executive, said the reopening would provide local communities, pedestrians and road users safe and convenient access to Belfast Grand Central Station and the surrounding area.

He also said Grosvenor Road is not suitable as a drop-off area for the station and he would encourage people to use Durham Street instead.

"I would like to thank the local communities, businesses, customers and the wider public for their patience and support as we worked hard to deliver this milestone," he said.

The chief executive of Retail NI said the reopening will help re-establish connections to inner city areas including Sandy Row and Grosvenor Road.

Glyn Roberts, who is also a member of the Sandy Row/Grosvenor Road working group, said those communities will benefit significantly though increased footfall from the station.

"We are now entering a vital trading period in the lead up to Christmas and the timing of the reopening of the road is important in that regard," he said.

Mr Roberts added traffic congestion in the city centre is an issue this time of year and urged people to use public transport when choosing to visit.

Belfast Grand Central station opened to passengers in September 2024

Grand Central station opened to passengers in September 2024.

It is the largest public transport station on the island of Ireland and is estimated to have cost £340m.

As part of the project, the Boyne Bridge, which William III is believed to have crossed on his way to the Battle of the Boyne in 1690, was dismantled.

The bridge which Durham Street runs over had been rebuilt in 1936, but the original structure dated back nearly 400 years.

Its demolition prompted protests from local residents at the time.

Belfast Grand Central Station project works will continue during 2026 including construction of the new Saltwater Square public space.