Line closure neededto save the railway

DUP Alderman Maurice Devenney has welcomed the imminent multi-million pound investment in the Londonderry to Coleraine railway line which Translink engineers warned last year was urgently required to avoid the track’s permanet closure.

Clear advice received by the Department of Regional Development (DRD) Translink and its engineers last year warned that a failure to invest in the line would lead to the closure of the Londonderry line.

With work now due to begin Alderman Devenney has urged Translink to ensure the seamless implementation of bus substitution services for people travelling from Londonderry to Coleraine once the railway closes at the end of this month.

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Alderman Devenney welcomed the news that two local contractors, McLaughlin and Harvey and McCann BAM Rail JV have been appointed to deliver major track engineering work between Coleraine and Londonderry due to commence on July 29 and run until April 2013.

He said: “I want to welcome this. It is fitting that it is happening now, particularly in the run up to UK City of Culture next year.”

The local DUP representative said he hoped Translink would ensure suitable bus services are in place on July 29 to facilitate passengers.

“I would ask Translink to ensure that bus services are in place for people who use the railway regularly,” he said. “What we don’t want is a situation where we come up to July 30 and people are left in limbo.”

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Translink has advised bus substitution services will be in operate between Coleraine and Londonderry via the coast and over the mountain.

Passengers are advised that valid rail tickets will be valid on bus substitution services and scheduled Ulsterbus services 134,143,144, 234.

Service 734 (via the Coast Road) and service 735 (via the Mountain Road) are further alternatives for former rail users.

Back in 2010 its was announced that the Londonderry to Coleraine railway line will close for improvements for a year from April 2012 leaving the city without a rail link for the first months of Londonderry UK City of Culture 2013.

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It was subsequently announced, however, that the work would be delayed until 2014 in order to maintain a constant rail link during the year long celebrations in 2013.

But this was once again overturned and the work will now go ahead with completion expected by next April.

According to Translink engineers the work is absolutely essential. Last year they advised a failure to invest in the Londonderry to Coleraine railway line over the next four years will lead to its closure.

Now in a contract worth £16 million, McCann BAM Rail JV will be responsible for a full track relay between Coleraine and Castlerock as well as between Eglinton and Londonderry.

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McLaughlin and Harvey Ltd will deliver track safety improvement works involving track re-railing between Umbra and Eglinton in a contract worth £1.3 million.

Both contracts form a major part of Translink’s Coleraine to Londonderry track renewals project representing a total investment of over £50 million funded by DRD.

Announcing the contracts, Eugene O’Brien, Head of Track, Translink NI Railways, said: “This project represents a significant investment in the line for the future. Passengers will notice train journeys are smoother and more comfortable; trains will be quieter and the overall performance and safety of the line will be maintained at a high level.

“We are pleased to announce these contracts with McLaughlin and Harvey Ltd and McCann BAM Rail JV and would like to thank the Department for Regional Development for essential funding to carry out this work.

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“The project will require the complete closure of the railway line between Coleraine and Derry~Londonderry from July 29 until spring next year. All work is planned to take place during sociable hours and we will be making every effort to ensure any disturbance is kept to a minimum.

“More people are choosing the train as their preferred way to travel with a record 10.7million train journeys made last year. This section of the track passes through some of our most scenic coastline and the completion of this project will allow us to build on this asset, contributing to the economic and social regeneration of the area, particularly during the 2013 UK City of Culture year.

“A temporary timetable will operate during the closure with bus substitutions in place for our passengers. We will also be writing directly to households in the area to inform them about the work and changes to local services.

“Safety is always a top priority and we would like to remind the public that engineering trains will be operating along the line throughout this project so it is extremely important to stay vigilant, continue to use railway crossings safely and never use the railway line as a shortcut.

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“We are looking forward to getting started on this next project phase and would ask for the continued support of local residents, our passengers and local representatives as we work hard to deliver a better rail service for everyone,” said Eugene.

The extensive engineering project will also include: installation of new drainage, new ducting for signalling cables, overhaul of the Bann Bridge and reconstruction of Pottagh Bridge.

For further timetable information click www.translink.co.uk or call 028 90 66 66 30. Temporary timetables will also be available from main stations.