Culture chair demands rail upgrade

LONDONDERRY’S Culture Company has called for immediate action to secure the upgrade of the Londonderry railway line in time for City of Culture 2013.

Last October the Sentinel first reported how the Londonderry line was to close for improvements for a year from April 2012 leaving the city without a rail link for the first months of City of Culture 2013.

Then in February of this year the Sentinel reported how former Rail Minister Conor Murphy put back the railway relay for at least a year because the Department of Regional Development (DRD) could not afford it until 2014/15 and due to the difficulties in getting the job done in time for UK City of Culture 2013.

Now Londonderry’s Culture Company is arguing that political and administrative commitments are needed immediately, if the railway line is to be upgraded by 2013.

Chair of Culture Company Martin Bradley made the comments in response to claims by Translink that even if funding were available, the upgrade wouldn’t be finished in time for the City of Culture year.

“I think it is imperative that commitments are given now – across all the relevant governmental and administrative sectors – to ensure that the line is not only repaired, but upgraded to carry new stock by 2013.

“The City of Culture year is still 15 months away, and we earnestly believe that if the will is there, the upgrade can be completed. The political and public support for this project has been universal, so it is time now to make it happen.”

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