Airport rail halt not onagenda for COC 2013

He made the statement in response to an Assembly Question tabled by SDPL MLA Dolores Kelly.

She asked whether a feasibility study had been carried out in conjunction with the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL)

Mr Kennedyreplied that his Department continues to support preparations for the City of Culture 2013 in Londonderry.

But added: “To date my Department or Arm’s Length Bodies have not undertaken nor been involved in any discussions in relation to a feasibility study on the need for a railway halt at the City of Derry Airport.

“A feasibility study was undertaken in 2006 into the potential to provide a rail service to Belfast International Airport. That study concluded that such a link would only become economically viable if passenger numbers using the airport were to double from existing levels to approximately 10 million per annum.

“During 2010 approximately 338,000 passengers used City of Derry Airport. In that context I have no plans to carry out a feasibility study on the need for a rail halt, however, I will keep this area under review.”