GREAT Victoria Street (GVS) in Belfast is planned to close in mid-May, however Translink has confirmed that trains will not be using its replacement, the new £200 million Belfast Grand Central, until the autumn.
Construction and fitting out of the new station is progressing well with preparatory work in connection with the installation of further track and associated signalling continuing. Great Victoria Street’s closure is required so that its approach from Westlink Junction, platforms and associated infrastructure can be removed as that part of the area is required for the bus infrastructure for the new station.
A prelude to the numerous possessions and bustitutions that are planned during the commissioning period over the summer months for the new station, as well as track alterations and signalling renewals on the Belfast-Lisburn corridor, occurred during the weekend of March 2/3.
There was a total possession to facilitate signalling and ballasting work in the Westlink Junction/Central Junction to Lanyon Place area, which saw Lanyon Place station handle Bangor, Larne and Londonderry/ Portrush services, while Great Victoria Street was used for Lisburn/ Portadown/Newry trains and the Cross Border ‘Enterprise’ service.
Preparations for the use
