Belfast Durham Street reopens after a year with new Grand Central Station drop-off zones

The busy road was closed last October for the demolition of the Boyne Bridge

A busy Belfast city centre road has reopened with new drop-off zones for Grand Central Station now available.

Durham Street was closed in October 2024 to accommodate the demolition of the Boyne Bridge as part of works around the new Grand Central Station. On Monday, Translink said it would reopen on Saturday, November 29, in time for the “busy festive period.”

The public transport operator said Durham Street and the new Boyne Bridge Place has underwent public realm, utility improvement, and re-grading works. New signage has also been installed to help improve wayfinding in the area.

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Here is everything you need to know about the road reopening:

When does Durham Street/Boyne Bridge Place reopen?

Durham Street/Boyne Bridge Place reopens to the public at 8am on Saturday, November 29.

Why was Durham Street closed and what has been changed?

Durham Street was closed to traffic last October for an extensive programme of works for the new Belfast Grand Central Station project. The station is the largest public transport station on the island of Ireland and is estimated to have cost £340m.

As part of the project, the nearby Boyne Bridge was dismantled, with its demolition leading to protests from local residents.

The road now has new drop-off/pick-up sites and pedestrian crossings in place for easy direct access to the station and businesses in the area. There is also new signage in place in the area, and public realm works have taken place.

Where are the new Grand Central Station drop-off zones?

Drop-off provision and a taxi rank for public hire taxi pick-up (Black Taxis) will be in place and various pedestrian crossings will be in place along Boyne Bridge Place.

There will be a waiting time of maximum 10 minutes in the dedicated drop-off spaces. Drop-off provision is outlined below:

• 8 spaces on the Station side of Boyne Bridge Place (5 general spaces and 3 dedicated public-hire taxi rank spaces)
• 5 spaces on the non-Station side of Boyne Bridge Place (3 general spaces and 2 dedicated public-hire taxi rank spaces)

Other drop-off areas are currently available at Value Car Parks on Grosvenor Road and at St Andrew’s Square on Hope Street.

What work needs to be completed in the Grand Central Station area?

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

This space will be designed as a public area for community events and performances, featuring seating, kiosks, and a new cultural heritage sculpture made from the steel of the old Boyne Bridge.

Public realm works are also continuing in the area, including remaining cycle lanes, sections of footway, and crossing-points.

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