Kennedy confirms commitment to Londonderry Rail Line

Transport Minister Danny Kennedy travelled to Londonderry today to reaffirm his commitment to developing the Londonderry to Coleraine rail link.

The Minister met the Mayor of Londonderry, Maurice Devenney along with local councillors, MLAs, MPs and other interested groups to reassure them of his commitment to the maintaining and upgrading of Londonderry rail line.

Addressing the meeting the Minister said: "I am committed to developing the Londonderry rail line and have no plans to allow the service to be closed.

"Unfortunately, as a result of the budget approved in January of this year, the proposed £75million project to upgrade the Coleraine to Londonderry track in 2012 has had to be deferred until 2014. However, funding of £20million was allocated to year four of the budget period (2014/15) to allow the project to start in 2014.

"In the meantime, my Department is funding a programme of engineering work to maintain safety and keep the line operational. Translink has plans to deliver a fully integrated bus and rail service throughout the day, between Londonderry, (Limavady), Coleraine and Belfast. The combined Coleraine-Londonderry rail/bus service will represent an increased frequency of service."

The Minister added: "£20million of funding was allocated to 2014/15 to allow the project to start in 2014, avoiding disruption to Derry's City of Culture Year in 2013. Unfortunately I cannot predict the outcome of the next Comprehensive Spending Review, but I can assure the people of the North West that I am wholly committed to gaining the necessary funding for the whole project to upgrade the Londonderry rail link."