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Derelict railway arches to be transformed into hub

Mark Simpson
BBC News NI community correspondent
BBC A grey stone bridge with graphited walls inside of its arches. There is a footpath running alongside the bridge and double yellow lines. In the background is a green hedge and single lamp post. Behind the hedge is a large building. BBC
The project will see derelict railway arches transformed in Belfast

Long-running plans to turn derelict railway arches in Belfast into a community and commercial space have moved a step closer.

A gym and a restaurant are among the facilities earmarked for the eight arches, close to Lanyon Place station.

The scheme, known as the Tunnels Project, is based in the inner city area known as the Markets.

The Market Development Association (MDA) has been working on the project for the past 15 years, and has been boosted by £2m of funding from the Executive Office at Stormont.

First Minister Michelle O'Neill said the work done by MDA was a "blueprint" for other community organisations.

Fionntán Hargey is wearing a white shirt, navy blazer and a white and blue tie. He has black hair and a black beard. On his blazer is a silver pin of a sword. The background is blurred but we can see a bridge, a car and double yellow lines alongside the footpath.
Fionntán Hargey is a project and community worker at Market Development Association

Fionntán Hargey, director of the association, said he hoped the arches below East Bridge Street would be transformed by 2028, with work beginning by the end of next year.

He said: "We are looking at providing a gym and a bar-restaurant. It will create jobs in the area but also provide services for the wider city."

Full planning approval has yet to be given, but Mr Hargey is confident the plans will soon become a reality.

He said: "Anything that could go wrong has already went wrong in the last 15 years. The community has been tenacious enough to overcome all those challenges and problems and we're now on the home run."

The regeneration of the arches is part of a wider £6m redevelopment project, which was outlined on Wednesday at an event at a local youth centre.

There are also plans to convert an old building, St Malachy's Convent School at Sussex Place into a heritage and visitor centre.

Two women are standing in front of a grey stone building. The woman on the right is wearing a red jacket and has blonde hair. The woman on the left is wearing a neutral coloured vest top and has brown hair, she is holding a black note pad. In the background we can see another brick building and two parked cars.
Dionne Ward (left) and Christine Farmer (right) are local residents

Local resident Christine Farmer said: "There have been struggles and knockdowns but we've come back again to make them work."

Another resident, Dionne Ward, said: "It's absolutely amazing to see a working class community come so far. Everybody who is involved should be so proud."

A computer generated brick building is visible, it has 4 large glass windows on its front. Cars are driving on the black roof. In front of the building is a grey path with people and trees done it. There is an area of grass in front of the path.
Work is set to get underway by the end of next year

Belfast City Council, Queen's University, the National Lottery Community Fund and Radius Housing have all supported projects in the area.

The plan is that the eight arches, or tunnels, will mainly be used for a gym and community facilities, but one will be reserved as a walkway for pedestrians.

The hope is that it will improve connections within the inner city.