Translink to showcase new Belfast Grand Central Station plans to public all over Northern Ireland

By Valerie Martin

Published 26th May 2024, 07:00 BST

Watch more of our videos on Shots!
and live on Freeview channel 276

People all over Northern Ireland will have the chance to find out more about the new Belfast Grand Central Station through a series of special events being held this summer.

Translink’s ‘Grand Connection’ Roadshow will give the public in 30 locations an insight into what the state-of-the-art integrated transport hub for trains, coaches and buses will offer when it opens its doors in the autumn.

The roadshow will stop at bus and train stations, community, leisure and shopping centres all across Northern Ireland, including Portadown, Craigavon, Antrim, Coleraine, Carrickfergus, Ballymoney, Newtownabbey, Dungannon, Cookstown, Whitehead, Lisburn, Ballymena, Banbridge and Derry – Londonderry.

It kicks off in Belfast at Lanyon Place Station on Wednesday, May 29 and will visit Europa Buscentre and Victoria Square in the following days.

Pictured at Translink’s Grand Connection Roadshow are Jamie Brownlee, Team Translink, with bus and rail users, Catriona Mulhern and her daughter, Mia, from Belfast. The Grand Connection Roadshow will visit locations all over Northern Ireland, stopping at bus and train stations, plus community, leisure and shopping centres. Picture: Translink

Pictured at Translink’s Grand Connection Roadshow are Jamie Brownlee, Team Translink, with bus and rail users, Catriona Mulhern and her daughter, Mia, from Belfast. The Grand Connection Roadshow will visit locations all over Northern Ireland, stopping at bus and train stations, plus community, leisure and shopping centres. Picture: Translink

The roadshow highlights plans for Belfast Grand Central Station, the flagship project being delivered by Translink, which marks a significant step forward in Northern Ireland's public transport system.

David Cowan, Translink’s director of commercial operations, said: “Public excitement and anticipation is building around the opening of this world class facility. Ten times larger than current facilities, it will be a game changer helping inspire and reimagine the city - one where more people travel on public transport, walk, wheel and cycle.

“The hub will be a major international gateway to and from the rest of the world with enhanced connectivity across Northern Ireland, cross border and local airports creating a better connected, cleaner and healthier city for everyone.

Sign up for a free Northern Ireland World newsletter and let us bring the news to you

The new Belfast Grand Central Station will be a state-of-the-art integrated transport hub for trains, coaches and buses. Picture: Translink

The new Belfast Grand Central Station will be a state-of-the-art integrated transport hub for trains, coaches and buses. Picture: Translink

“Beyond transportation, this new facility will be a new destination in the heart of the city where people meet thanks to a range of popular hospitality and retail outlets offering a unique blend of convenience and leisure.

“The Grand Connection Roadshow gives members of the public the opportunity to ask any questions.

“People will get a taste of what the new station will look like through a mix of drone footage and computer-generated images.”

Team Translink will be on hand with interesting facts, interactive games and prize giveaways to showcase the new station. The roadshow activity also includes a special augmented reality experience along with a bespoke ‘7 Peaks’ buzzer game based on the station’s striking roof design.

“We’re looking forward to chatting to as many people as possible at the Grand Connection Roadshow so come along and find out more and hopefully it will be a fun visit for all ages as well as informative.” added David.

Here’s when and where you can visit the Grand Connection Roadshow (these dates may change so check www.translink.co.uk/bgcs/roadshow):

May 29 – Belfast: Lanyon Place Train Station
May 30 – Belfast: Europa Buscentre
June 2 – Belfast: Victoria Square
June 3 – Downpatrick: Down Leisure Centre
June 6 – Coleraine: Coleraine Bus & Rail Station
June 8 – Bangor: Bloomfield Shopping Centre
June 12 – Antrim: Antrim Bus & Rail Station
June 13 – Antrim: Antrim Forum Leisure Centre
June 15 – Banbridge: The Boulevard
June 18 – Portadown: Portadown Train Station
June 19 – Armagh: Tommy Makem Arts & Community Centre
June 22 – Belfast: Kennedy Centre
June 24 – Carrickfergus: Carrickfergus Train Station
June 26 – Ballymoney: Joey Dunlop Leisure Centre
June 29 – Ballymena: Fairhill Shopping Centre
July 4 – Belfast: York Street Train Station
July 5 – Strabane: Riversdale Leisure Centre
July 6 – Newtownabbey: Abbeycentre
July 27 – Newry: Buttercrane
August 1 – Whitehead: Whitehead Train Station
August 3 – Dungannon: Oaks Shopping Centre
August 8 – Newcastle: Newcastle Leisure Centre
August 9 – Omagh: Omagh Leisure Complex
August 10 – Coleraine: Diamond Shopping Centre
August 11 – Derry~Londonderry: Foyleside Shopping Centre
August 15 – Bangor: Bangor Bus & Rail Station
August 16 – Lisburn: Lisburn Leisureplex
August 17 – Enniskillen: Erneside Shopping Centre
August 22 – Belfast: Grove Leisure Centre
August 23 – Belfast: Europa Buscentre
August 24 – Belfast: Victoria Square
August 29 – Newry: Newry Bus Station
August 30 – Cookstown: Cookstown Leisure Centre
August 31 – Craigavon: Rushmere Shopping Centre

Translink Northern Ireland Craigavon Antrim

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.