Design team appointed for development of Belfast Transport Hub
The goal of delivering a 21st Century Transport Hub for Belfast as an urban gateway to the city and beyond has moved one step closer with the appointment of an Integrated Design Team for the project.
The new design team and architects who comprise of Arup, Lead Architect Hiro Aso and John McAslan and Partners have an extensive portfolio in the development and delivery of modern and highly efficient transports infrastructure facilities including Kings Cross Station in London.
Hiro Aso, Lead Architect at John McAslan + Partners, commented on the team’s appointment. He said: “This project represents one of the largest city centre developments in Belfast for many years and offers the opportunity to create a significant landmark at a key gateway to the city. The team we’ve assembled will bring innovative, fresh thinking to the complexities of Belfast’s transportation challenges.”
The Hub is set to be located on the 20 acre site of the existing Europa Buscentre and Great Victoria Street Train Station. Already around 7 million passengers use these facilities each year and as more people choose to use the bus and train this is estimated to increase to around 13 million passengers by 2030.
Making the announcement, Transport Minister Danny Kennedy said: “This is one of the most exciting and ambitious public transport developments to be seen in Northern Ireland. I welcome the design team from Arup, Lead Architect Hiro Aso and the team from John McAslan and Partners who bring a wealth of experience in the design of modern transport infrastructure.
“With a steady year-on-year increase in the number of people choosing to use bus and train it is vital that we grow our already excellent public transport infrastructure to meet the increase in demands that we know are ahead of us.
“As well as the improved transport links, this project also offers huge benefits for Belfast and Northern Ireland as a whole. The enhanced transport hub has the potential to become a ‘green urban gateway’ revitalising Belfast city centre. Indeed it was recently cited in the Urban Strategies Report commissioned and published by Belfast City Council as one of the top projects needed to deliver the overall vision of Belfast as a modern European City helping to attract tourism and investors which will significantly boost the region’s economy.”
Clive Bradberry, Translink Infrastructure Executive said: “Public transport in Northern Ireland continues to grow at a pace, over 80 million passenger journeys last year. Our current infrastructure is now operating at almost full capacity and as such we need to plan to have the proper infrastructure in place so we can build on Northern Ireland’s passenger transport success story.
“We plan to operate all trains, including our cross border Enterprise services, from the new Transport Hub enabling greater connectivity with local rail, bus and coach options providing more attractive, integrated and accessible travel choices.”
