Agenda and minutes

            Apologies were reported on behalf of Councillors Douglas, Duffy, Hanvey, McDonough-Brown and I. McLaughlin.

            No Declarations of Interest were reported.

            The information contained in the report associated with the following item is restricted in accordance with Part 1 of Schedule 6 of the Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 2014.

      Resolved – That the Committee agrees to exclude the members of the press and public from the meeting during discussion of the following item as, due to the nature of the items, there would be a disclosure of exempt information as described in Section 42(4) and Schedule 6 of the Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 2014.

            Members were also reminded that the content of ‘restricted’ reports and any discussion which took place during closed session must be treated as ‘confidential information’ and that no such information should be disclosed to the public as per Paragraph 4.15 of the Code of Conduct.  

            The Chairperson welcomed Mr. D. McAllister, Head of Belfast Grand Central Station Programme, Mr. D. Bannon, Central Area Manager, and Ms. L. Shannon, Corporate Communications Manager, representing Translink to the meeting.

            The representatives provided a progress update of the Belfast Grand Central Station/ Weavers Cross Transport Led Regeneration Project which included details of station and street works, public transport interventions, access trail and wayfinding, rail systems progress and the combined social value of the live construction, 

            They provided an overview of Translink’s operational readiness, bus and rail timetable changes, event management and customer information and accessibility.

            The representatives thanked the Committee for its support and continued engagement for the Bus station opening set for 8th September. Ms. Shannon advised that an information leaflet would be shared with the Committee for dissemination and highlighted that the key message for customers was to plan and check their travel early, together with using the Journey Planner application.

            During discussion, the representatives answered a range of questions in relation to the potential for future night-time services and events management, the safety and railway validation process, the future of Great Victoria Street Bus Centre, retail offerings at the new Grand Central Station, Public Realm works and the pedestrian and traffic management plan and employment projections of the regeneration project.

            In response to a Member’s question, in relation to the success of the recent night-time events services, Mr. Bannon advised that a further update could be provided to the Committee in relation to the statistics and review of the services.

            The Chairperson thanked the representatives for their attendance and they retired from the meeting.

            The Committee noted the contents of the Presentation and that the Committee would be invited to a tour of the new station.

            In accordance with Standing Order 14, the Committee agreed, as the meeting had been held later than seven clear days before the meeting of the Council, that the minutes of the meeting be submitted to the Council on 2nd September for ratification.