Mayor welcomes rail progress

He stated: “I am delighted with Minister Kennedy’s announcement which indicates that the works to upgrade the rail link between the City and Coleraine will go ahead with plans to complete in early in 2013.

“This is an important decision that will benefit the City during the City of Culture year and demonstrates the willingness of the Executive to consider the priority issues that will make a difference for the city and region. “The combined effort of all agencies to provide a single voice on an initiative that is central to the success of the regeneration of the city is to be commended.”

Translink also welcomed the announcement of additional funding which will allow the acceleration of planned essential engineering work on the rail line.

“This engineering work commences the necessary relay of the rail line and will mean that instead of the planned 5 return rail journeys per day planned for 2013 there will be 8 when this phase of the work is complete at the end of March 2013. Work to complete the full relay and upgrade of the track will then take place after 2013,” it stated.

“We pay tribute to Danny Kennedy MLA, the Minister for Regional Development and the Executive for securing this additional funding; it is a reflection of his on-going strong support for passenger transport in NI and in the northwest in particular,” said the group.

Translink said credit was also due to its infrastructure team which quickly developed the innovative engineering solution to best fit the funding now made available.

“With the additional funding comes a very demanding schedule involving complex tendering and compliance with procurement rules to facilitate commencement of the design work in March 2012. Making decisions and getting approvals on time will be critical if this phase of work is to be completed by end of March 2013 and represents a significant challenge.

“Translink understands that the Minister intends to make a full statement to the Assembly next week and it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time,” it stated.