AQW 6269/16-21

Mr Stewart Dickson
Alliance Party
East Antrim

Tabled Date: 26/10/2016
Answered On Date: 07/11/2016
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Infrastructure for an update on the planned hub at the Europa Bus Centre/Great Victoria Street railway station.

Answer:

The first stage Outline Business Case (OBC) for the Belfast Transport Hub, identifying a preferred option, has been approved by my Department and the Department of Finance.

The project is currently at design and planning stage and a budget has been identified to progress it this year and next before a further OBC will be produced. Before developing a full planning application Translink has started a consultation which runs until 2 December 2016 which will provide members of the public with the opportunity to review the proposals and provide their feedback. Details are set out at www.translink.co.uk.

The feedback from this consultation will help to inform the design and masterplan for the project and further consultation is planned.

The estimated cost of the project could be over £175m up to 2021.

It is an Executive flagship project and we need to consider all options including funding and phasing.