Minister launches improved Maghera Park and Ride/Share

TRANSPORT Minister Danny Kennedy has launched a new improved Park and Ride facility at Maghera.

The Minister said: “My Department’s aim in developing this facility is to encourage more people out of their cars and onto public transport at the busiest times of the day, reducing road congestion.

“This upgraded site provided by DRD will provide local people from the surrounding area including Maghera/ Garvagh/ Galladuff/ Swatragh/ Knockloughrim / Tobermore / Desertmartin and Draperstown with safe and convenient car-parking to make onward connecting coach services.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“It will remove vehicles away from parking along the busy A6 Glenshane Road. The facility also features a dedicated bus shelter and bus stop for easy transfer from private car to bus services and an underpass to allow passengers to access the Belfast bound buses without having to cross the busy Glenshane Road.

“Roads Service has sought to promote higher car occupancy through the provision of facilities to allow drivers to share journeys to common destinations and to help linkages with existing public transport services.

“This facility is an important element of the Department’s commitment to promote more sustainable travel, by offering commuters on this corridor an alternative for their journey into the city centre,”, said Danny Kennedy

The Department and Translink are encouraging commuters to use the new park and ride/ park and share facility situated at Craigadick near Maghera at the junction of the A6 Glenshane Road and A29 Tobermore Road.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

There are 123 car-parking spaces including four accessible bays for people with disabilities and the following Goldline coach and services now operate to and from the Park and Ride:

Goldline Express 212 Derry - Londonderry to Belfast; Goldline Express 246 Limavady to Belfast

Simon Corrigan, Translink Service Delivery Manager, said: “Park and Ride is a key priority for Translink. We want to provide our customers with integrated and convenient travel solutions and this new facility lets customers use the car for the first leg of their journey then easily transfer onto the bus.”

Ulster Unionist MLA Sandra Overend has welcomed the launch of the newly improved Park and Ride facility and the many benefits it offers her constituents.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I am delighted with launch of Maghera’s newly improved Park and Ride/Share scheme this morning as it offers many benefits to my constituents, particularly those from the surrounding areas of Maghera, Garvagh, Gulladuff, Swatragh, Knockloughrim, Tobermore, Desertmartin and Draperstown,” she said.

“The Park and Ride facility offered at the Glenshane Pass, Maghera, provides customers with a safe and convenient travel solution, wherein customers will be able to use the car for the first leg of their journey then transfer onto a bus to complete their travel. Given the frequency with which the service will be offered it could easily fit into your schedule.”