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Midland Close, BELFAST, BT15 1FX

A considerable tract of land, along York Street, between Gt George’s Street and Whitla Street, had been cleared in the late 1960’s for the proposed elevated link road between the M1 and M2. The scheme was rejected after a public enquiry. The land lay vacant for many years before being reserved as the line for what was to become known as the “cross-harbour bridges” Image and Image There were many complaints that the large area of vacant ground looked like a bomb site. This sign was erected on the eastern side of York Street although it was to be another eight years before work started Image Part of the site, between York Street and the railway still remains vacant http://www.geograph.org.uk/snippet/3874.

The former “Plumb Center” (the business has moved to other premises) is now vacant. It and the Midland Building Image (out of picture to the right) are destined to become part of the NIR workshops, after redevelopment.

See Image (July 2013) and Image (February 1976). Still open after two rounds of branch closures and major local redevelopment.

See Image (July 2013). The former Midland railway hotel at Whitla Street/York Street when in use as offices.

A Dudley Dauntless http://www.thomasdudley.co.uk/ cover, in York Street, near the site of the old York Road station.

Midland Terrace is what was once called Canning Street. The “Midland” comes from the LMS Railway which, until the nationalisation of railways under the Ulster Transport Authority, operated from nearby York Road station. Some of the houses date from the 1970’s and were built by a private developer in a Government-promoted attempt to encourage rejuvenation in an area affected by the troubles. The scheme was not completed in the form envisaged.

Temporary premises of Ulster Bank at the corner of Canning Street and York Road. Intended as a short-term replacement for the original bank, demolished to make way for the cross-Lagan rail & road link, this temporary building served for at least 10 years before being replaced in the mid-1970s by a new building off camera to the right. By the end, the temporary building had no roof (vandalism) and rain water ran down the walls, making carpets somewhat slippery. See Image

See Image Eighteen months later and the former Midland Hotel Image remains undeveloped. The bus stop (right) serves Yorkgate station Image Continue to Image (July 2013).

For information on the history of this station, see Image View shows war memorial and station bar. Offices within the station were in a Swiss Chalet style devised by the railway company's engineer, Berkley Deane Wise. Those that survived the 1941 Blitz were destroyed by bombs in the 1970s, although one kiosk is preserved at the Cultra Folk & Transport Museum.

Former Midland Hotel at York Road railway station, Belfast. The original railway owned hotel was destroyed in an air raid on 4 May 1941, but rebuilt after WW2. Sold by the UTA in the 1960s, it ceased being a hotel in the 1970s and later became offices.