Site meeting to discuss safety concerns at Hilden rail halt

The move comes after Lagan Valley MLA Jenny Palmer contacted the Infrastructure Minister to highlight “very serious concerns about the lack of a much-needed footbridge” at Hilden Halt.

Mrs Palmer also recently met with Chris Conway, the Group Chief Executive of Translink, to discuss her campaign for a footbridge.

She said the meeting had led to “very positive progress” in terms of securing improved safety measures for the area.

“Translink agreed to bring its education bus into local schools and also engage with Hilden Community Association about the dangers of playing near railway lines. Translink has also agreed to new safety signage at Hilden Halt, but the ultimate solution to my campaign remains a footbridge,” she said.

Mrs Palmer added: “As a result of my writing to the Minister directly, Mr Conway has agreed to meet me on-site at Hilden Halt about this very serious community issue.

“The halt faces very serious issues concerning trespassing and anti-social behaviour and the Infrastructure Minister has taken my concerns on board.”

Responding to Mrs Palmer’s comments, a Translink spokesperson stressed that the safety of passengers, employees and members of the public is a key priority.

“We would appeal to the parents and guardians of young people in the Hilden area to remind them of the very serious dangers associated with using the tracks as a shortcut or hanging about on station platforms,” she said.

“We are currently developing a safety action plan which we will begin to deliver in the coming weeks and we look forward to working with Hilden Community Association and local schools to promote rail safety messaging in the area.”