Traffic ‘chaos’ to continue into 2026 over Boyne Bridge demolition, residents claim

Traffic “chaos” in Belfast city centre will continue into 2026 if work to demolish the Boyne Bridge recommences, it has warned amid criticism that Translink “can do what they want and get away with it”.

The Blackstaff Residents Association, which represents locals in areas including the mainly loyalist Sandy Row, made the warning in a letter to the Department for Infrastructure’s DfI Chief Planner Alistair Beggs.

The letter hits out at Translink for going ahead with the demolition of the Boyne Bridge at Durham Street in October without addressing planning concerns.

Translink’s plan is to remove the bridge to create a new public square and allow better access to the new Grand Central Station.

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The demolition work was halted earlier this month following an investigation by the DfI into the planning issue.

It had been estimated that work to remove the bridge would lead to Durham Street being closed for 12 months.

One of the planning issues understood to be the focus of the probe is the alleged failure to have a traffic mitigation plan in place before the demolition began.

Opponents of the plan to remove the bridge, which along with the residents association includes the Ulster Architectural Heritage Society, say they wish for it to be retained due to its heritage value.

Rebuilt in the 1930s, the 19th century structure is believed by locals to contain the remains of Saltwater Bridge, which it is claimed was crossed by King William and his troops on the way to the Battle of the Boyne in 1690.

The closure of Durham Street has been blamed for contributing to traffic snarl ups in the city over the Christmas period and impacting retailers.

Should the demolition work get underway again, traffic problems will continue into next year, Billy Dickson, who chairs the Blackstaff Residents Association said in the letter to Mr Beggs.

However, Translink has said it hopes to get the demolition underway again “as quickly as possible”.

Referring to traffic problems that have effectively closed one end of Sandy Row to traffic, Mr Dickson said in his letter: “We are dealing with a ‘cart before the horse’ situation. Translink’s traffic mitigation measures were not submitted to, nor agreed in writing by the Planning Authority. The horrendous outcome resulting from these measures, including the closure of Durham Street have been and still are being witnessed and experienced by thousands on a daily basis.”

He said if the demolition starts again, it “will make it impossible to regain any semblance of normality and that the traffic problems will continue well into 2026″.

The letter calls for any review of the situation by Translink to include the option of keeping the bridge as a “safe underpass to and from the Grand Central Station”.

Mr Dickson also cites in the letter his group’s claim that Translink increased the number of daily Enterprise train services between Belfast and Dublin in October “without planning permission” while a consultation on a planning application to do so remained open.

“It would be viewed that Translink can do what they want and get away with it,” the letter states, adding: “The situation now demands fairness and flexibility if we are to bring order out of chaos.”

Following the launch of the planning probe, a DFI spokesperson said department officials were “engaging with Translink to discuss the steps which are necessary in order to comply with the relevant planning conditions”.

Translink said it was collaborating with “relevant stakeholders to ensure alignment with the complex planning processes”.

A DfI spokesperson said the department would “respond in due course” to the Blackstaff Residents Association.

Translink has been contacted for further comment.