The proposed Belfast Transport Hub involves the redevelopment of the Europa Bus Centre, Great Victoria Street Railway Station and surrounding NI Transport Holding Company (NITHC) land at Grosvenor Road. The NITHC is proposing to develop an integrated transport interchange comprising; station concourse, 26 bus stands, 8 railway platforms, bus maintenance and parking, car parking and a new public square. The remaining land is proposed as a phased regeneration project known as Weavers Cross.

Translink invited concept masterplan proposals during 2013 and appointed John McAslan & Partners and Arup in July 2014 to take forward the Transport Hub design.

As part of the Transport Hub enabling works, John Tinnelly and Sons Ltd demolished the vacant warehouse buildings at Grosvenor Road during March – May 2016.

The Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company submitted the Transport Hub planning application (LA04/2017/1388/F) in June 2017. The application proposed a “new integrated transport interchange comprising; station concourse, 26 bus stands, 8 railway platforms, bus maintenance and parking, track and signalling enhancements, bus access bridge, cycle and taxi provision, car parking, new public square, public realm improvements, highway improvements, infrastructure improvements, temporary structures for bus operations during construction and temporary site construction compounds”. The application was approved in March 2019.

Graham Construction were awarded the Site Enabling Works contract in November 2019. A new junction a Grosvenor Road was completed in August 2020 and temporary staff facilities were completed in November 2020 ahead of demolition of the former staff facilities and two bus maintenance sheds.

Babcock International are delivering the Permanent Way Enhancements which includes upgrading the existing two track corridor at the southern end of the site to three tracks.

The Main Construction Works contract was awarded to a Farrans and Sacyr Joint Venture in February 2022. Construction is expected to take around four years to complete.

Construction updates are available at weaverscross.co.uk/belfast-transport-hub/transforming-the-site. Further information on the Belfast Transport Hub and wider Weavers Cross development can be found at the official website: www.weaverscross.co.uk.

Belfast Transport Hub video (credit: Translink)