Rail line to reopen ahead of schedule.
Paul Faith/PA Wire
Derry’s railway line is to reopen on March 24.
The north’s transport minister Danny Kennedy today confirmed the £30million upgrade was on track to be completed ahead of the initial April deadline.
Danny Kennedy said: “The railway line was due to open in April but I was keen for the line to be open in time for the Easter holidays and, in particular, to provide transport for all those people attending the key events at the UK City of Culture in Londonderry.
“This phase of the project will allow nine return journeys per day on the line and secures the long-term future of the route. I also understand that following a consultation with local stakeholders Translink will be ensuring travellers can arrive in Londonderry before 9am when services are restored.
“Translink have advised me that the scheme is making excellent progress and that they are hopeful that it will now be open to the general public on 24 March. This is excellent news and I want to congratulate Translink and their contractors McLaughlin and Harvey and McCann BAM for their efforts.”
The first phase of the project involved the relaying of the end sections of the line, re-railing and renewing the centre section, completing essential bridge works and track safety improvements. The second phase which will involve re-signalling works and a new passing loop is planned for 2015. Both phases will cost around £50million.
This announcement comes at the same time as the Trans European Transport Network (TEN-T) has confirmed that it will be providing EU funding of 1.6million euro towards the project.
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Weather for Derry
Monday 20 May 2013
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 9 C to 13 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 8 C to 13 C
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