IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Roden Street, BELFAST, BT12 5QB

A plaque, on a house in Roden Street Image, commemorating the footballer Joe Bambrick http://www.ulsterhistory.co.uk/bambrick.htm.

An interesting find on the Donegall Road, near Richview Street. A small cover allowing access to a gas main. Marked “gaz” (French for “gas") and bearing the stylised trademark “NF” it seems of be a product of the Canadian Norwood Foundry http://www.norwoodfoundry.com/index.htm. (Well done Google!)

EIIR pillar box outside Donegall Road post office, at the corner of Roden Street Image The City Hospital Image is at middle right.

A second view from the Donegall Road bridge showing the cleared track-bed to Great Victoria Street station and the site of the reinstated Central Junction.

Northern Ireland Railways' General Motors built 111 Class diesel locomotive No. 111 "Great Northern" takes loaded ballast hoppers past Central Junction. Work has been swift since Image] , as the new line from Central Junction to Great Victoria Street is already down and ballasted.

See Image One of similar design on the railway bridge at the corner of the Donegall Road and Roden Street.

Looking down from the Donegall Road bridge and work is underway at installing the new Central Junction, where the reopened line to Great Victoria Street station will leave the Central Line link to Central Station and Ballymacarrett Junction. The track-bed to Great Victoria Street has already been cleared and ballasted.

The former post office (nos 309-311), at the corner of Roden Street, now vacant and to let. Described by the agents as “The property comprises a ground floor retail unit with ancillary stores. The property has been finished to include suspended ceilings with recessed fluorescent strip lighting, electric storage heaters and electronic roller shutters.” This photograph appears as a matter of record only. I have no connection with any of the parties involved in the letting. This Image is behind the traffic light.

Built around the mid-19th century as a short street off the Grosvenor Road, Roden Street eventually became a long street running through to the Donegall Road. Bisected by the building of the Westlink it was finally cut in two in 2008 when the rebuilding of the Westlink Image was completed. There is now no through road for motor vehicles. Pedestrians can still cross by a footbridge Image This end (at the Donegall Road) has been redeveloped but still includes a few traditional terrace houses (left).

Two vacant and semi-derelict former houses (nos 266 & 268), converted to shops, opposite Roden Street. I cannot find any reference to a planning application for demolition or renovation. To avoid any confusion the chippy (right, at the corner of Donegall Avenue) is no 270 and is open for business.