Translink say it still has bits of the Boyne Bridge in store as it responds to criticism of new Grand Central Station sculpture
Translink has said that there are still pieces of the old Boyne Bridge in storage for use in future art projects.
The transport outfit revealed the news as it responded to criticism of its new sculpture at Grand Central Station, which is made out of steel from the bridge.
It had unveiled the 30ft-high metal artwork – which is mirrored on one side and is titled ‘Reflections’ – on Thursday in Saltwater Square, the paved plaza in front of the new station.
It is all that now physically remains of the bridge at the site after dismantling work began in autumn 2024 to make way for the plaza (though the short stretch of Durham Street on which the bridge formerly stood has been renamed Boyne Bridge Place).
Translink says the sculpture “celebrates the city’s heritage” and is the product of “extensive community engagement”.
It was reacting to criticism from campaigner Billy Dickson, chairman of the Blackstaff Residents’ Group and one of the foremost campaigners to retain the bridge.
He said: "Translink’s claim of extensive community engagement and that this sculpture is the final outcome of such consultation does not ring true for the vast majority of Sandy Row residents - and likely not for those in Grosvenor Road either.”
He added: “We see the artwork as a missed opportunity.
"It reflects a failure to save the 1936 Boyne Bridge.
"The sculpture is a poor substitute for the loss of the bridge.
"After the battle to preserve it was lost, the remaining steelwork could have been used to create a more substantial feature - such as a steel version of Stonehenge.
"Unfortunately, we understand that the rest of the steel was sold for scrap."
He concluded that “we cannot change the past, so it may be best to focus on positives”, such as the renaming of the street, which he called “a wonderful achievement”.
Translink responded by saying: “Saltwater Square is the new high-quality public realm at Belfast Grand Central Station, designed with a strong arts and heritage emphasis as part of the wider Weavers Cross regeneration project [the area surrounding the station].
“Reflections’ is one part of the Belfast Grand Central Station project’s extensive arts and heritage programme - a new public artwork celebrating the city’s heritage, creativity and future.
“It was designed by Golden Thread Gallery, fabricated by Northern Ireland artist Kevin Killen and informed by extensive community engagement through the project’s arts and heritage strategy consultation process.
“The artwork incorporates original sections of the 1936 Boyne Bridge, celebrating Belfast’s engineering heritage while responding directly to community calls to reuse meaningful materials.
"Remaining steel has been kept for future community‑led arts and heritage projects.”
The references to the 1936 Boyne Bridge above are because there were several incarnations of the bridge, the most recent of which was from that year.
The original one dated back to the mid-1600s.