Relaying the Londonderry line at night would cost 200 per cent more than year-long closure

Translink reckon the cost of keeping the line open and upgrading it at night would be between 185 per cent and 200 per cent more than the base line option of full blockade for 12 months.

Rail Minister Conor Murphy outlined the details in response to an Assembly Question by Foyle SDLP MLA Pl O'Callaghan.

He asked the Minister whether his Department sought a cost estimate for work on the planned upgrade of the Coleraine to Londonderry railway line to be carried out at night or weekends, to allow the line to remain open, and if so, to provide a breakdown of the estimate.

Mr Murphy replied: "Translink have informed me that in reviewing the various options for the relay, the project team concluded that night and weekend work would result in costs of between 185 per cent and 200 per cent more than the baseline option of completing the work by closing the line.

"It would also mean the duration of the works would increase from 12 months to potentially 24 months.