Red light for rail stop

A RAILWAY halt at City of Derry Airport will not be feasible if a proposed passing loop is laid at the Foyle Bridge.

Railways Minister Conor Murphy also stated that the cost of a new passing loop at that location would be high as it would involve line re-alignment.

The Minister was asked what visits, studies, or meetings have taken place involving his departmental officials investigating airport railway links in the past five years.

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Mr Murphy advised that a study was completed at the end of 2009 into the possible long term social, physical and economic developments which could be achieved through the enhancement of the Northern Railways Corridor.

The report discussed the opportunity to develop rail links to airports but it seems that a halt at City of Derry Airport is not considered feasible.

The Minister stated: “With regards to the City of Derry Airport (CODA), the possible location of the passing loop near to Foyle Bridge may mean, from an operational point of view, a railway halt at CODA would not be feasible. The costs of this, in any case is projected as high because the line would have to be re-aligned.”

He added: “The ongoing reviews of the Regional Development Strategy and the Regional Transportation Strategy Review both acknowledge the importance of good connections to the airports and will set a long term context for such proposals to be kept under review.”

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