Engineers say rail investment needed or line will close

Rail Minister Conor Murphy told the Stormont Assembly on Monday that passing loops will be incorporated into the scheme to ensure more than one train can use the line.

East Londonderry MLA Gregory Campbell asked the Minister if he will ensure that Translink and his Department will “examine very closely the need for passing loops in the Ballykelly area to ensure that more than one train can transport between Coleraine and Londonderry, rather than the Londonderry train having to wait until the Coleraine train has arrived?”

The Minister replied: “That is part of the scheme. Obviously, there has been a very lengthy assessment over the past number of years, of which the Member will be familiar, into what is required and where exactly the passing loop would be.

“There have been differing arguments, and it will come down to a technical decision and assessment of where the best place for a passing loop is.

“However, the intention is to keep the Derry to Coleraine railway track open, because the clear advice from Translink and its engineers is that, should we not invest in that line over the next four years, that would lead to the closure of the Derry-Coleraine line.

“The clear intention is to keep that open, make a very significant investment of more than £70 million, improve the service between Derry and Belfast and allow commuters to get into Derry before 9.00 am for the first time.”