The Old Waterside Railway Station is to be the site of a new £26 million transport hub in Derry.
The announcement was made by Infrastructure Minister Chris Hazzard and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness during a visit to the historic building at lunchtime today.
The site was the publicly preferred option following a public consultation in 2013.
Work Is due to begin at the start of 2018 and is expected to take two years to complete.
Plans include provision of a new terminal as well as facilities and amenities to promote sustainable travel options including bike parking, lockers and changing facilities.
Mr McGuinness said the new hub would support the growth of the local economy and was of “massive importance” to the city and beyond.
He added: “This is an ambitious project which will balance preserving the historic building and also meet the transport needs of the future.
“We will only attract more people to use public transport if we have the right infrastructure in place and the development of this transport hub is an important piece of the jigsaw in the North West.
Mr Hazzard said the plans would transform the historic building into “one fit for use today and for generations to come.”
He added: “Investing in public transport is vital if we want to attract investment, talent and tourism.
“Alongside projects like the A5 and A6 and the development of City of Derry Airport, those living west of the Bann are set to see a real change in the development of the local infrastructure over the coming weeks.”
Chris Conway, Translink Group chief executive, who also visited the site, said he was very much looking forward to building an “exciting new transport hub.”
He added: “As an iconic building in the city, the new hub will help to encourage a shift from car to public transport by providing integrated and convenient services to encourage more active travel for a healthier region.”
The Waterside Railway Station opened in 1852 and closed in 1980 when the new station opened in 1980.
Photo shows (from left) Mr McGuinness, Mr Hazzard and Mr Conway with an artist's impression of the new transport hub when they visited the site at lunchtime today.
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