The cost to date of the Boyne Bridge demolition has been revealed by the Infrastructure Minister.
The bridge, which runs along Durham Street in the Sandy Row area of Belfast, was closed in October 2024 as part of works for the new Grand Central Station and surrounding Weaver's Cross development.
Work to remove the bridge began the following month, protests against its demolition, as well as calls for local businesses to be compensated for a reduced footfall.
Read more: Sandy Row businesses to receive financial support amid road closure trade drop
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This week, in a written question from People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll, Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins revealed £700,000 had been spent on the bridge's demolition to date. The figure includes the cost of contractors, legal fees, and professional services associated with the works.
The figures emerge as Stormont's Department for Communities are planning a "revitalisation scheme" reported to be worth around £200,000. Local DUP councillor Tracy Kelly told Belfast Live businesses in the area have seen an "awful decline" since the Durham Street closure.
She said: "We are still finalising details but this amount of money has been secured to try and help the business stay open and attract customers. Myself and Edwin Poots MLA are liaising with Department for Communities and Belfast City Council to try and support as much as possible.
"For the last four months since the roads closure, Sandy Row has seen an awful decline in business with some shops losing around 40% of trade. This cannot continue and I fear some may not survive."
The revitalisation scheme follows an emergency taskforce set up at Belfast City Council last year in an effort to support local traders. Speaking at a council meeting on the new task force, Sandy Row businesses said the road closure was "worse than Covid" for businesses in the area.
The Department for Communities said the scheme will be delivered by Belfast City Council, and will follow on from the delivery of a public realm scheme. Details of the scheme have not yet been finalised.
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