The Stormont Executive has been called on to prioritise funding for the delivery of a one-hour train service from Derry to Belfast in the upcoming Programme for Government.
The call comes from former Mayor of the city, Cllr Martin Reilly.
Cllr Reilly, the SDLP group leader on Derry City and Strabane District Council, was reacting to the news that the current estimate of the cost to provide a one-hour rail service between the North’s two largest cities will cost £1.4m per year,
Cllr Reilly said: “In recent days we have seen the welcome news of funding for the Waterside Transport Hub incorporating the regeneration of the old Waterside railway station.
“Over recent years we have seen the investment in the improvement of the railway track serving the North West. But we now need to see a firm commitment from the Executive to provide Translink with the money to deliver a one-hour service for commuters on the Derry to Belfast line.
“My party colleague Gerry Mullan MLA has tabled a number of Assembly Questions on this matter. The current travel time for this journey is two hours 15 minutes and while the welcome passing loop at Bellerena adds robustness to the timetable the Department for Infrastructure themselves say that reductions in journey time at this stage will be marginal.
“To get the best value from this investment in the track and station infrastructure Translink need to be able to facilitate a one-hour journey which will further improve passenger numbers, dramatically changing commuter mindsets about using this service.”
Cllr Reilly concluded: “I am therefore calling on the Executive to make this a priority through the Programme for Government and to find the funding for Translink to deliver this one-hour service.”
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