Belfast city centre regeneration efforts have received a significant boost with new investment secured from the Department for Infrastructure and the Department for Communities.

These funds will accelerate projects aimed at improving connectivity, public realm and active travel networks across the city.

The Department for Infrastructure has committed £600,000 to Belfast City Council's 'Under the Bridges' project and the planned Sailortown Bridge. Additionally, £500,000 has been allocated to support the expansion of the Belfast Bikes network with e-bikes, through Greenways and Active Travel Enabling funding.

The 'Under The Bridges' project, a partnership with Belfast Harbour, seeks to enhance connections between the city centre and the Sailortown/City Quays area. It will introduce new public spaces, active travel infrastructure and transform underutilised areas beneath the M3 bridges into innovative outdoor leisure spaces, following community consultation.

The funding will also advance the planned Sailortown-Queen's Island Bridge to its Concept Design (RIBA Stage 2) phase. Subject to securing capital funding, this iconic cross-harbour cycle and walking swing bridge will complete the Harbour Loop, linking Sailortown and north Belfast to Queen's Island, and providing active travel access to the new Yorkgate Train Station. These initiatives are central to the Belfast Waterfront Framework's vision of a vibrant, connected corridor.

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New Belfast Lord Mayor, Councillor Tracy Kelly, expressed her enthusiasm for the investment. "It's one of my objectives during my Mayoral term to better connect the communities surrounding the city centre, so that they can enjoy and benefit from all it has to offer," she said. "Securing funding from these departments will really accelerate our work to encourage connectivity and healthier, more active living."

Councillor Kelly also highlighted other regeneration efforts, including approval for 'HALT', a new monthly craft, music, and food market in the former Europa bus station. She celebrated the success of the 'Vacant to Vibrant' scheme, citing EDO restaurant's new sister venue 'Beau' in Cathedral Quarter and ArtsEkta's new cultural hub at Olive Tree House, which now features a live event space, studios, and a global cookery academy. "Initiatives like these bring real heart and soul to our city centre," she added.

Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins welcomed her Department's £1.1m contribution. "Supporting cleaner and greener transport is one of my department's seven Foundations for a Better Future and projects such as these are a tangible way of delivering on that vision," she stated. "Creating places that encourage more people to consider walking, wheeling and cycling as part of their daily routine is not just good for the environment, but is also beneficial for our physical and mental wellbeing."

Further investment includes almost £1.3m in developer contributions for high-quality public realm improvements at Little York Street/Little Patrick Street, featuring planters, tree planting, rain gardens, and enhanced lighting. Belfast City Council is also providing £1.38m in developer contributions to the Department for Communities for city centre public realm schemes.

Communities Minister Gordon Lyons welcomed the funding, stating: "These projects will transform the appearance of the streetscape in College Court, College Street, Callender Street, sections of Upper Arthur Street and Montgomery Street and the area in and around Blackstaff Square. These improvements will create an environment that will encourage more visitors and tourists to the city centre providing a welcome boost to the local economy."

The council is also exploring the feasibility of re-purposing underutilised upper-floor spaces in the city centre to create much-needed accommodation.