Translink has confirmed it hopes to announce a date “very soon” for the commencement of train services from the new Belfast Grand Central station.
Translink’s group chief executive Chris Conway was speaking to BBC Radio Ulster’s Nolan Show this morning and when pressed on giving a date, explained the company is “making really good progress” but said a definitive date can’t be announced “because we have to make sure the safety process is done properly and diligently”.
Belfast Grand Central — the largest integrated transport hub on the island of Ireland — opened earlier this month for bus services.
Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd opens Belfast Grand Central Station
However, the rail line between Lisburn and Belfast and through the station has remained closed until safety work is completed.
Speaking to BBC NI, Mr Conway said: “What I can say is that the construction is complete, the safety file is with the safety authority, we are working very closely with the safety authority now.
“Everyone will want us to make sure everything we do is safe it is important we go through that process with due diligence. We hope to be able to announce a date for opening very soon.
“We have training going on at the moment. There are trains running on that network with staff to do training.
“We are making really good progress. I can’t really say more because we have to make sure the safety process is done properly and diligently. We will be working closely with the safety authority. It is important they have the time to do that process correctly.”
Translink CEO Chris Conway welcomes impending launch of new Belfast station
Meanwhile, the Translink chief was also pressed on reports about heavier traffic around the city in the weeks since the station has been opened for bus services and as construction continues on the rest of the project.
Traffic passes the new Belfast Grand Central Station. Pic: Presseye
Earlier this week a roads expert told this newspaper traffic woes for commuters travelling into Belfast are an “inevitable” consequence of the rail line closure to facilitate the station.
Wesley Johnston said NI’s road network is designed it such a way that it only takes one road or rail line closure to have a significant impact.
“We rely heavily on a very small number of key transport arteries, so if anything happens to any one of those, things inevitably snarl up,” he explained.
When asked about the traffic disruption, Mr Conway said some short-term disruption to traffic around the city is “inevitable”.
“What we have been doing is working very closely with DFI and the road service to ensure anything we do… is properly managed.
“The wider issue really is that Belfast is a compact city and it has got finite road space and we know congestion has been increasing over the years.
“When anything happens in Belfast it causes major disruption. We have got to start as a society thinking how we best use our city.”
Watch: Sneak preview of huge Belfast Grand Central Station ahead of Sunday opening