14 Okt 2024

Belfast Grand Central Station opens rail operations – transforming public transport for Ireland

Babcock team with Chis Conway, Translink Group Chief Executive and Minister John O'Dowd (L-R)

We were proud to attend an event on Sunday 13 October to mark the commencement of rail services at Belfast Grand Central Station after playing a major role in the construction of the new rail infrastructure at the world-class transport hub. 

Now Ireland’s largest state-of-the-art integrated station for train, coach and bus travel all under one roof, the new station provides enhanced local and international connectivity across Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland and beyond, transforming train travel on the island of Ireland.

As Translink’s main rail infrastructure contractor, we were responsible for constructing all essential track and signalling control systems to connect the new station into the wider rail network.

Around 120 of our employees worked on the programme, laying 4.8km of track, installing 19 sets of points, 25 signals and 50km of cables as well as 1800 metres of drainage, 5,000 concrete sleepers and 1,220 timber sleepers.

In addition, we also delivered the first phase of the signalling and telecoms infrastructure for a new modernised intelligent centralised signalling system – essential for the delivery of Grand Central Station.

The opening of the rail element of the new station, which forms part of a £1billion regeneration scheme in Belfast, was attended by the Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd.

Tom Newman, Chief Executive of our Land Sector said: “We are proud to have supported Translink on the development of Belfast Grand Central Station, playing an important part in ensuring the people of Belfast and its visitors benefit from this world-class transport hub.”

Chris Conway, Translink Group Chief Executive said: “The phased opening of the station to buses last month has been very smooth and the reaction from our passengers has been extremely positive. We are now delighted to be commencing rail operations heralding the start of the integrated bus, coach and rail transport from the station. The whole station has been carefully designed for the forecasted 20 million+ customers, to combine high-quality, modern and welcoming passenger facilities with advanced customer features and integrated networks.

“It offers a huge opportunity to grow public transport, driving economic development across the region and play a major part in tacking the climate emergency. That means a better-connected future for people and communities for generations to come”.