Public urged to respond to Translink consultation

With track safety and improvement works between Coleraine and Londonderry continuing to progress on schedule, the railway line is due to re-open at the end of March.

Translink has now developed the best possible timetable options for the line re-opening. The two options identified affect, in particular, early morning trains and Translink would now like to know which is the preferred option of customers so that the Spring 2013 timetable can be confirmed.

A special consultation event will be held on Thursday, January 24 between 10am and 1pm in Coleraine Bus and Rail Centre.

Translink is currently meeting with a wide range of stakeholders in the North West to outline proposals including local universities, colleges, businesses and political representatives.

In addition, they will also engage directly with customers on board train services along the Londonderry railway line on January 30 and 31.

On January 6, Translink launched a new enhanced rail timetable providing more seating capacity and an hourly timetable between Coleraine and Belfast.

Launching the timetable consultation, Mal McGreevy, Translink General Manager – Rail Services, said: “In early 2015, Translink plans to extend the hourly rail service through to Derry-Londonderry following the installation of new signalling and an additional passing loop on the track. This next phase of work will commence in 2014 after the City of Culture activities.

“In the meantime, when the line re-opens this spring, it will only be possible to have one train in the Coleraine – Derry~Londonderry line section at any one time.

“Therefore, we have developed the two best possible options for the line re-opening this Spring and now invite public feedback to help shape and finalise our plans.

“This new timetable consultation is another important step to securing a bright future for rail travel in Northern Ireland and we hope our customers will take advantage of this opportunity to share their views,” said Mal.

Both proposed options are clearly outlined in Translink’s North West Timetable Consultation Leaflet available from local bus and train stations or online atwww.translink.co.uk The deadline for public responses to the consultation is February 1.