£3.8m for new 214 space park-and-ride at Bellarena rail halt between Derry and Coleraine authorised
A new £3.8m park-and-ride facility with 214 car parking spaces at the Bellarena rail halt between Derry and Coleraine has been signed off.
The schedule for the delivery of the project remains under review, however, rail minister Liz Kimmins said, when asked about the park-and-ride facilities at the north Derry railway stop by East Derry MLA Alan Robinson in the Assembly.
“I can confirm that the business case to provide a new park-and-ride facility at Bellarena station with 214 new car parking spaces, including 10 new disabled parking spaces, has been authorised, with expenditure of up to £3.8m having been approved.
"The delivery schedule is under review and is subject to planning approval timescales and prioritisation within Translink’s overall capital programme,” she said.
The rail minister agreed with the local DUP MLA that the delivery was ‘long overdue’.
Ms. Kimmins said: “Absolutely. It can be frustrating when things take as long as they sometimes do, particularly when they are in our own areas.
"We are seeing this case move forward, however. As I said, it is subject to planning approval timescales and prioritisation within Translink's overall capital programme, but I am happy to continue to engage with the Member — that could be through Translink, as well — to keep him updated on where that is at.
"I recognise the importance of that project, particularly as more people want to use our rail links and other public transport, and the availability of park-and-ride facilities is central to their doing so.”