The development of a multi-million pound transport hub in Belfast has taken a leap forward with a major appointment.

Northern Ireland-based contractor GRAHAM has signed on to deliver preparation work at the city centre site on behalf of Translink. Work will take place over an 18-month period and will include essential early engineering, utility diversions, ecology surveys, ground remediation, watercourse and drainage activities.

This phase of work will ensure the site is ready for the main build phase in 2021 and that construction teams and materials are able to enter and begin work safely and efficiently.

When complete, the Belfast Transport Hub will enhance local and international connectivity with bus, coach and rail links across Northern Ireland and beyond. It will be a key driver of social, economic and environmental wellbeing for Belfast and Northern Ireland and will be at the heart of an exciting new city neighbourhood called 'Weavers Cross' with mixed-use development proposals.

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Translink Group Chief Executive, Chris Conway said: "We are looking forward to working with GRAHAM to start the delivery of this exciting world-class facility. These initial works will see up to 100 jobs generated with potential for up to 400 from the entire scheme, local employment opportunities will be developed through the Belfast City Council’s Construction Employment Academy.

"We have built up strong links and have widespread support across the local community, businesses, city stakeholders and political parties for this scheme. We will continue to engage with them in partnership with our contractor as we make progress.

"We have seen strong passenger growth in recent years - now carrying a record 84.5m passenger journeys. The impressive new hub will help us to build on this, with increased capacity, vital to delivering our ambitious plans to transform public transport."

Leo Martin, GRAHAM Managing Director – Civil Engineering, added: "We are delighted to have been chosen to deliver the essential early engineering works for the construction of the new Belfast Transport Hub.

"We're looking forward to working with Translink again - having successfully collaborated on high-profile projects in the past including the new train maintenance facility at Adelaide Depot and, most recently, the new Portrush Train Station.

"This latest scheme will not only help to transform an 8-hectare city centre site but it will also be a key driver of social, economic and environmental wellbeing for Northern Ireland.
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The Belfast Transport Hub is expected to take up to five years to complete.

(CM/JG)