City road to reopen after year to ease congestion, minister announces

The reopening of a road in Belfast City Centre after almost a year will help to ease traffic ahead of Christmas, Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins has said.

Durham Street will reopen in November, following months of road improvement works outside Belfast’s Grand Central Station.

The busy street is a major transport link beside the station and is set to accommodate two-way traffic upon completion of the works.

The minister said during the first anniversary celebrations of the station that the road closure has “caused a challenge for drivers right across the city”.

She said: “We are hoping to see the reopening of Durham Street which has been a major challenge right across the city and we recognise that.

“It’s due to open towards the end of November and we will have communications in relation to that well in advance to make sure the wider community are aware of those changes.

“We will also be putting in place extended bus lane operations, ensuring that taxis will continue to use the bus lanes – and lots of other things which we will be communicating in the coming weeks.”

Grand Central Station opened last year as part of a £340 million project to improve transport and infrastructure.

Ms Kimmins said the station has seen a 40% increase in passengers over the last year.

She added: “It’s absolutely fantastic and there’s so much more to come.

“I think it’s exciting to see it completed and it’s great for the city but it’s also great for the whole of the north.”

During the visit to Grand Central Station, Ms Kimmins also referenced her controversial decision to approve the go-ahead to install Irish language signs throughout the station.

This decision sparked backlash from unionist ministers who said that should have been raised with the Executive.

A judge has granted leave for a judicial review into the decision after a legal challenge from loyalist activist Jamie Bryson.

DUP Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has also joined the ongoing legal action against the decision from the Sinn Fein Infrastructure minister.

Ahead of the legal proceedings which are expected to take place this month – Ms Kimmins has said that she stands by her decision.

“I think it’s disappointing that this has happened but because there are legal proceedings there is very little that I can say about it, but I hope that we can see a positive resolution and move ahead,” she said.

“This is a transport hub for everybody and when people arrive here I think that should be reflective of that.

“I think that it’s important that all cultures on this island are reflected everywhere we go and the Executive is making huge strides in relation to the promotion and visibility of Irish language and I think that it’s incumbent in all of us to do what we can to ensure that that culture and that heritage on our island is reflected and visible, and I am committed to continuing to do that.”

The planned £150,000 project to install the signs has been paused pending the outcome of the legal challenge.