Translink is planning to have the road which replaced Belfast’s Boyne Bridge open by the end of this month.

Images from the scene next to Sandy Row show the bridge now demolished, the road flattened, and surfacing work under way.

If all goes to plan, the hope is that the opening will ease traffic congestion ahead of Christmas.

It cannot come too soon for some, said Billy Dickson, a heritage campaigner who was among those who campaigned against the scheme in the first place.

placeholder image — Construction work continues at the old Boyne Bridge site next to Sandy Row in south Belfast; this is the view looking from the city centre across what will be Saltwater Square (Pacemaker)

The road which ran over the top of the Boyne Bridge was called Durham Street before the bridge was demolished.

Now the southern portion of Durham Street, where the bridge used to stand, has been renamed Boyne Bridge Place with the agreement of Belfast City Council.

Translink told the News Letter: "We are continuing to work towards the re-opening of Durham Street/Boyne Bridge Place to pedestrians and road users by the end of November."

The Boyne Bridge was built in 1936, but stood on the site of an old 17th century one.

Its removal was part of the plans for the new Grand Central Station, approved in 2019.

The Boyne Bridge used to go over the long-gone River Blackstaff.

In modern times, it spanned the train tracks to the old Great Victoria Station.

But once that station was shuttered last year the tracks became redundant.

The blueprints for the station called for the bridge to be razed and replaced with a ground-level road, with pedestrians crossing it to travel between the station and city centre.

The plans were opposed by Mr Dickson as well as the Ulster Architectural Heritage Society because of the historical significance of the bridge (William of Orange is believed to have crossed it on the way to the Boyne).

Its closure on October 12 last year is also widely believed to have contributed to major traffic headaches in the city that Christmas, as well as hurting trade for businesses on neighbouring Sandy Row.

"The road itself, which we're all pleased about, will be opened and that will relieve a lot of traffic congestion in the city centre, and it's good for traders in Sandy Row," said Mr Dickson.

"Congestion – that would be the priority for the general public, I suppose.

"It'll be a tremendous asset, especially for seasonal trade.

"They [Sandy Row's traders] have suffered quite a lot and they've lost quite a lot.

"I'm actually surprised at the resilience of the traders – it has been fantastic.

"It seems to be coming to an end and if it's opened by the end of the month there'll be a lot of very happy people in Sandy Row."

He also said: "The priority for Translink and us all is to have the road opened this month – but there's other issues we feel strongly about."

This includes things like prominent signage for Boyne Bridge Place, as the stretch of road is now known.

As well as work on the road itself, Translink is also constructing a big open plaza called Saltwater Square next to the station.

Translink has also told the News Letter: "There are plans to reuse elements of the 1936 Boyne Bridge where possible.

"This includes steel from the bridge to be used as part of a new art piece in Saltwater Square and re-purposing the art deco lighting within Saltwater Square and along Boyne Bridge Place."