The Minister said: "This site will play a vital role in encouraging commuters to car share or to complete their journey by public transport. By choosing sustainable alternatives to the private car for all or part of their journey travellers can save themselves money, help reduce traffic congestion and improve the environment.
“This site is the latest addition to a range of successful sites, created by Roads Service, to enable motorists to park before catching a bus to their final destination or to meet up with other motorists in order to share part of their journey. It also represents the first stage in the eventual creation of a quality bus corridor from Drumahoe to Bridgend via Dungiven Road, Craigavon Bridge, Foyle Street bus station, Strand Road and Buncrana Road."
The work on the site has been taken forward by the Department for Regional Development Roads Service. The new site will be served by Translink Goldline Express 212 coach services for passengers travelling between Derry and Belfast.
Aileen Gault Head of Travelwise NI which promotes sustainable travel said: "The car park situated beside Drumahoe Bridge has spaces for 118 cars with an additional four spaces reserved for disabled drivers, and will be served by two new bus stops on the A6. It will provide a secure and convenient parking place for motorists wanting to park and to catch the Goldline Express Service on the Belfast route. It can also be used as a rendezvous point for motorists who are meeting up to share their onward car journey."
Translink Service Delivery Manager Alan Young said: “This is great news for local commuters. Park and ride facilities play an important role in providing our customers with integrated and convenient travel solutions. We have worked closely with the Department to develop this new site at Drumahoe, which is the latest addition in a network-wide programme to provide park and ride facilities for both our bus and rail passengers.
“Our Goldline Express services offer a fast, frequent and reliable way to travel and now with safe and secure parking at this facility, passengers can sit back, relax and enjoy a stress-free journey.”
The site is enclosed by a secure fence, is fully lit and will be covered by a security camera.
The site at Drumahoe was identified as a potential Park & Ride Site in the Department for Regional Development’s Sub-Regional Transportation Plan published in 2007 and an agreement to lease the site was subsequently reached with the YMCA, owners of the site.
Notes to editors
1. More information on sustainable travel is available on the Travelwise NI website.
2. More information on public transport, including bus timetables, is available on the Translink website. Up to date travel information is also available on the Translink Contact Centre 02890666630.
3. Use of the car park at Drumahoe is free of charge.
4. Translink Goldline Express Service 212 operates a return service between Derry and Belfast with stops at Altnagelvin, Drumahoe, Dungiven, Maghera, Castledawson Roundabout and Toomebridge. Approximate Frequency of Service 212
- Monday to Friday -
- Early morning until 8am every 20 minutes.
- 8am until 5pm every 30 minutes.
- 5pm until 9pm every hour .
- Final departures from Derry at 9pm.
- Saturday & Sunday Half hourly until 1pm then hourly.
- Saturday final departures from Derry at 9pm.
- Sunday final departures from Derry at 7pm.
- Detailed and up-to-date information is available from Translink.
- Pick Up & Drop Off at Drumahoe
- The service from Derry to Belfast will pick up passengers at Drumahoe from Monday 9 November.
- The Service from Belfast to Derry provides a drop off only facility at Drumahoe.
5. Travelwise Northern Ireland is an initiative of the Department for Regional Development to promote sustainable modes of transport including public transport and car sharing.
6. Road Transport is responsible for 25% of CO2 in the atmosphere in the UK (Source: Transport Statistics for Great Britain 2007).
7. All media queries to Emma Flynn Davies, Department for Regional Development Press Office, 028 9054 0372. Out of office hours please contact the duty press officer via pager number 07699715440 and your call will be returned.
