Londonderry Railway Line Re Opens On Time And On Budget - Press Releases - News - Translink
Londonderry Railway Line Reopens On Time And On Budget
29 June 2009:
The railway line between Ballymena and Coleraine was re-opened to passengers today (Monday 29th June) following a 13 week closure to facilitate track relay work.
Deputy Mayor of Ballymoney Borough Council Alderman Cecil Cousley MBE, Mervyn Storey MLA, Ballymoney Cllr, Alderman Harry Connolly. Translink Infrastructure Executive Clive Bradberry, Alderman James McClure, Chairman, Northern Corridors Group, Translink NI Railways Route Manager Frank Moore, Deputy Mayor of Coleraine Borough Council, Cllr William King, John Dallat MLA.
This work concludes the next phase of a £12.5 million Londonderry Railway Line Upgrade Project and aims to improve passenger experience of train travel. The Londonderry railway line has seen significant growth in passenger numbers and is now carry carrying over one million passengers per year. Translink Infrastructure Executive Clive Bradberry believes that these latest improvements will encourage more people to choose the train:
“We are pleased to complete this work on schedule and on budget. It marks real progress for our customers who can now enjoy a range of benefits including more comfortable, smoother and quieter train journeys as well as the maintenance of high safety standards. We have taken advantage of longer days and better weather conditions to complete the work efficiently and are ready for the expected increased volumes of summer traffic particularly with our range of summer fare deals which will be available from 1st July.
“We plan to introduce a new timetable this autumn to allow this new track time to settle. Passengers can then expect faster journeys with the removal of current speed restrictions so that trains can run at an optimum 70mph. To realise the full benefit of this project there is more work to be done on the line. Further investment is required to complete the wider renewals project, which will see passing loops constructed and signalling equipment upgraded, and could deliver an hourly timetable service on the Londonderry line.
“I would like to thank passengers for their continued patience and co-operation throughout the project and remind the local community to take care when using local crossings and impress upon young people the dangers of playing near railway lines, especially due to the quieter trains now in operation. I would also like to thank the Department for Regional Development for their commitment to improving the local rail network and the European Union for part financing this work through the Trans European Transport Network.,” concluded Mr Bradberry.
Londonderry Line passengers are reminded that train services will now revert to the December 2008 Translink NI Railways timetable. Weekly and monthly fare changes, deferred during the closure period, will be introduced from June 30. For further information click www.translink.co.uk/derrylineupgrade.asp or call (028) 9066 6630.
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Deputy Mayor of Coleraine Borough Council, Cllr William King, Translink Infrastructure Executive Clive Bradberry and Deputy Mayor of Ballymoney Borough Council Alderman Cecil Cousley MBE at Coleraine Railway Station.
Mervyn Storey MLA and John Dallat MLA
Mayor of Ballymoney Borough Council, Alderman Frank Campbell at Coleraine Railway Station waving off one of the first train services between Coleraine and Ballymena since the railway line was closed 13 weeks ago.
Mayor of Ballymoney Borough Council, Alderman Frank Campbell with Translink NI Railways conductor David Shearer travelling between Coleraine and Ballymena following the line re-opening.
Translink NI Railways conductor David Shearer with (l-r) Alderman James McClure, Chairman, Northern Corridors Group and Mervyn Storey MLA.
Translink NI Railways conductor David Shearer with Deputy Mayor of Ballymoney Borough Council Alderman Cecil Cousley MBE and Ballymoney Cllr, Alderman Harry Connolly.
Political and community officials with Translink representatives at Ballymena Railway Station gathered to mark the re-opening of the Londonderry railway line between Coleraine and Ballymena (l-r): Translink Services Delivery Manager Martin Lundy; Deputy Mayor of Coleraine Borough Council, Cllr William King, Mervyn Storey MLA, Cllr Maurice Mills, Mayor of Ballymoney Borough Council, Cllr Frank Campbell, Translink NI Railways Route Manager Frank Moore, Deputy Mayor of Ballymena, Alderman PJ McAvoy, Translink Infrastructure Executive Clive Bradberry, Alderman James McClure, Chairman, Northern Corridors Group, Ballymoney Cllr, Alderman Harry Connolly, Deputy Mayor of Ballymoney Borough Council Alderman Cecil Cousley MBE and Mayor of Ballymena Borough Council, Alderman James Currie MBE.
Deputy Mayor of Ballymena, Alderman PJ McAvoy, Mayor of Ballymoney Borough Council, Alderman Frank Campbell and Mayor of Ballymena Borough Council, Alderman James Currie MBE at Ballymena Railway Station.
Translink NI Railways conductor David Shearer with passenger Lisa Kearney from Limavady.
All media enquiries to:
Ursula Kelleher, PR Officer, Translink on tel. 07786 884024 or email ursula.kelleher@translink.co.uk
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