A cultural and heritage society has lost a court case that will see a historic bridge “sensitively dismantled” to facilitate roadworks for a new train station.

Work to break down the Boyne Bridge in south Belfast began on 12 October as part of the new Belfast Grand Central Station.

Translink, a public transport provider in Northern Ireland, is overseeing the works on the bridge which was re-built in 1936.

“Our contractor will seek to preserve key elements of the bridge, and we are continuing to engage with the local community on an arts and heritage programme which will utilise these materials for future projects,” Translink said.

The Ulster Architectural Heritage Society, a charity focused on preserving historic architecture in Ulster, opposed the demolition of the bridge and took Translink to court on 11 October.

At the hearing in Belfast High Court, the charity was unable to prevent the works from going through but succeeded in having wording on plans being changed.

John Anderson, vice chair of the UAHS, said: “One of the things the court case established was a wording change from ‘demolishing’’ to ‘sensitive dismantling’.

“What Translink is proposing is to save parts of the bridge and relocate them elsewhere as part of an art project.

“That sounds good for public relations but there is no detail on what exactly that means or where it will be located.”

Planning permission for the project was originally granted on 29 March 2019, according to a letter sent by Translink’s lawyers to the charity.

In the letter sent prior to the court case, Translink’s lawyers said any delay in removing the Boyne Bridge would have “significant financial implications” for the project, estimated at £100,000 per week.

“Therefore, any attempt by UAHS to seek an injunction will be met with an application for a cross undertaking in damages,” the letter said.

The charity said the bridge was of “considerable importance” to surviving residents who were alive when its predecessor was built.

“While there is no right to cultural heritage per se, a right to access and enjoy cultural and built heritage is now understood as being part of the human right to take part in cultural life as enshrined in article 15 of  the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, which was ratified by the UK in 1976,” the charity said.

Anderson said: “The local community is disadvantaged, streets are very run down and the impression is because we are quite close to the city that there is a wish to displace the community for the sake of property development.

“Suffice to say, the bridge is very important to the community for reasons other than architectural development.”

A Translink spokesperson said: “The Durham Street bridge is being dismantled to make way for significant public realm improvements being carried out around the new Belfast Grand Central station.

“This is part of Belfast’s overall transformational plans to improve the streetscape environment and create more accessible, greener spaces including the new Saltwater Square.

“These works will make cycling, walking and other forms of active travel more attractive, making way for a cleaner city and a healthier society.

“Translink is committed to preserving and celebrating the history and heritage of the area and will continue to work with the local community to repurpose key elements of the bridge for significant artworks to enhance the public realm space in the local area”.