Kennedy sets out plans for Londonderry rail link re-lay

Transport Minister Danny Kennedy set out his plans for the Coleraine to Londonderry railway line to the Northern Ireland Assembly, today.
~ Monday, 10 October 2011

The Minister secured the Executive’s approval of £27million, from the Department and Translink’s existing budget, for a phased re-lay of the rail line, starting in July 2012.

In his statement to the NI Assembly Danny Kennedy said: ''Completing this phase of track enhancement in time for the 2013 City of Culture year will deliver very real benefits for the people of the North West, for the people of Northern Ireland and for the thousands of visitors that come to Northern Ireland.

"This approach will secure the long term future of the line and assist in efforts to bring major golf tournaments and other tourism and cultural initiatives to the north coast.

"The overall aim is to have hourly services available from the end of the current budget period in 2015."

Phase one will include relaying the end sections of the line, from Coleraine to Castlerock and from Eglinton to Londonderry, and essential bridge works. The line will be completely closed for approximately nine months during the works from July 2012 to April 2013, at an anticipated cost of £27million. Eight return trips per day will operate when the line reopens in April 2013.

Phase two will complete the re-signalling works between Coleraine and Londonderry in 2014 and construct the new passing loop in 2015, with a total estimated cost of £22million.

Phase three will undertake the relay of the track from Castlerock to Eglinton in 2021. This is expected to cost £36million and should deliver half hourly services.

The Minister went on to outline the funding plans and said: "Phase one is estimated to cost £27million in 2012/13. This phase will be financed by pro-actively managing my existing budget by re-profiling some planned strategic roads schemes. I estimate that this will provide about £22million of the required sum and I am looking to Translink to provide the rest of the funding.

"The choice of road schemes to be re-profiled will have to take account of commitments made by the Republic of Ireland government in respect of the A5/A8 schemes, the current state of progress on these and other roads schemes including the A2 and A6 schemes, risks arising from procurement and critically the capacity of the construction industry to deliver on the roads programme. There remains a strong economic case for ensuring the roads budget is adequately funded.”

In conclusion the Minister said: "The plans to deliver a rail service for the City of Culture in 2013 is a clear demonstration of my commitment to infrastructure investment in the North West and to improve public transport links between the two main cities in Northern Ireland." Notes to editors:

Notes to Editors:

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