Police remove sinister sign that warned against dismantling Boyne Bridge

Police have removed a sinister sign left at Belfast’s Boyne Bridge that appeared to threaten construction workers who will be involved in dismantling it.

The sign bearing the words “Touch this bridge beware”, along with a target symbol, was placed at a fence at one end of the bridge in Durham Street on Sunday evening.

Union flags and red, white and blue bunting were also attached to the fence, which is located where Durham Street enters the loyalist Sandy Row area.

The bridge is due to be taken down as part of a year-long project to redevelop the public realm space around the new Grand Central Station.

The Boyne Bridge is part of Durham Street, which runs adjacent to the recently opened transport hub. The street is to be closed off for a period of 12 months to facilitate the works.

The closure of the busy city centre street has prompted concerns over major traffic disruption in the year ahead.

Campaigners have also tried to prevent the planned dismantling of the Boyne Bridge, citing its historical significance.

While the bridge that stands today was built in 1936, the thoroughfare has links back to the 17th century, with King William of Orange reputed to have ridden over a previous incarnation of the bridge on his way south to the Battle of the Boyne.

On Friday, the Ulster Architectural Heritage Society failed in a last-ditch court bid to stop the bridge being taken down.

The PSNI has urged anyone with information about the sign to contact the PSNI or the Crimestoppers charity.

South Belfast Neighbourhood Policing Inspector Roisin Brown said: “The sign has now been removed by our officers and inquiries are ongoing. We are investigating this report as a potential public order offence.

“As our investigation progresses we will continue to engage with local community representatives and partner agencies.”

SDLP MLA for South Belfast and leader of the Opposition at Stormont Matthew O’Toole raised the issue at the Assembly on Monday.

“It cannot be acceptable to put up signs that imply – implicitly or explicitly – a threat to people,” he said.

“We have to move beyond that in this society.”

In relation to the planned dismantling of the bridge, a Translink spokeswoman said: “These works will involve sensitively dismantling the existing 1936 Durham Street/Boyne Bridge.

“Translink is committed to preserving and celebrating the history and heritage of the area and will continue to work with the local community to repurpose key elements of the bridge for significant artworks to enhance the public realm space in the local area”.