The NI Multimodal Transport Hub (North-West)

Promoting sustainable travel

The North-West Transport Hub, promotes active and sustainable travel. The hub brings together a range of transport modes and provides enhanced facilities and encourages people in the North-West of Ireland to consider sustainable modes of transport. As can be seen from the range of partner organisations, this project was a significant one with the aim of making a key economic player and an attractive place to live and work.

This project combines the old 1873 railway station and the new, to deliver a major scheme acting as a key portal for the North-West region. It protects the iconic Victorian building, whilst repurposing it for use as a 21st Century multimodal transport hub.

This multi-million pound project was supported by the EU’s INTERREG VA Programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), with additional support from the Department for Infrastructure, the Department of Transport in the Republic of Ireland and Derry City and Strabane District Council.

The benefit to the community is significant – a five-fold uplift on the target for active travel journeys on local Greenways is projected, which will have long-term benefits to society.

A station for the community

The station had operated for over a century, before its 1980 closure and this regeneration has been warmly received by the local community. The building was listed on the Buildings at Risk register before the restoration and modernisation project. It shows the benefits of inclusive design, with the building providing civic and community space, able to accommodate local organisations engaging via events and classes. It has already played host to many activities, including choral performances and community festivities.

This is all on top of its purpose as a multimodal transport hub, encouraging active travel and improving connectivity in the North-West, which will act as a welcome catalyst for regeneration.

Exemplary project management

A particular challenge was in carrying significant and sensitive conservation repair and restoration to the old building and return the façade to its former glory – this was time consuming and required a careful balance with programme and cost through the project.

The railway works project was completed with 0 minutes of overrun, so there was no additional impact on railway operations beyond those planned, and the project was completed in total ahead of the client brief requirement. This was particularly noteworthy given the impact of the Covid-19 and the consequent need to revise and update the programme regularly.

Thanks to exemplary project planning and management, including agreed railway blockades embedded into the contracts and incorporating different funders, contractors and projects, the project was handed over on time and on budget – a significant achievement.

Sustainable best practice

This project also offers sustainability good practice across environmental, economic and social pillars.

The business case was based on whole-life costing analysis, a forward-thinking approach which ensured delivery of the best life-cycle benefit. Restoration care was paramount, replicating traditional stonework and decorative mouldings to return the Victorian façade to its former glory.

Sustainable practices were embedded to reduce carbon emissions and provide futureproofing: a ground source heat pump system; solar panels, heat recovery ventilation system, and rainwater harvesting to provide water for WCs and for internal plants’ irrigation system. This was part of ensuring the building could ‘take care of itself’ in many respects, throughout its life.

The building uses Intelligent Building Management, reducing energy consumption via modern controls such as presence detection and enhanced zonal heating controls. The concourse uses natural daylighting and ventilation, and the building operates to enhanced u-values and air tightness above required standards to reduce energy loss.

The site has enhanced landscaping and biodiversity features, improving ecology.

The project won ICE Northern Ireland’s prestigious 2020 Sustainability Award and has brought about community and environmental benefits, as well as innovation, sustainable design elements and an exemplary health and safety record.