Hopes rise that train halt could reopen

The halt closed in 2005, however, since the closure there has been a long campaign to have the line reopened.

Lagan Valley MLA Jonathan Craig has welcomed the news from the Minister for Employment and Learning, that his department are in discussions with the Northern Ireland holding Company (Translink) concerning the acquisition of the Knockmore Training Centre in Lisburn for a new train halt, park and ride drop-off facility to be used by the public during Balmoral Show week.

The information was revealed this week following a question by Mr Craig to the Minister, asking what plans his department had for the future of the Knockmore Training Centre in Lisburn.

Responding to the Minister, the local MLA said: “The site has been vacant for some time since the reallocating of training centre to the new College in Lisburn and it would be of huge benefit to Translink and the organisers of the Balmoral Show to secure this site.

“It has been clearly demonstrated by the thousands of visitors that attended this year’s show, that the decision by the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society to move to the Maze site was the right one and the new location will help the show to continue to develop and expand.

“The news from the Minister for Employment and Learning this week of the potential new Train Halt and Park and Ride at Knockmore Training Centre will only enhance the overall experience of visitors to the show and will greatly help the organisers resolve the traffic issues that some visitors faced this year.”

One local commuter, who uses the train to travel into work in Lisburn, said she was opposed to the proposal to reopen the halt at Knockmore.

“The train into Lisburn already stops at every hole in the hedge,” she said. “Do we really need yet another halt and yet another reason for the train to stop en route to Lisburn?

“Translink are always promoting their fast and efficient service, yet it still takes a ridiculously long time to travel the relatively short distance to Lisburn.”