£5.9m ring-fenced for track renewal on Derry to Coleraine line
Almost £5.9m has been ring-fenced for twenty miles of track renewals on the Derry to Coleraine rail line this year, Liz Kimmins has said.
The rail minister was asked about line speeds on the railway by Sinn Féin MLA Ciara Ferguson.
“Increased speeds along the Derry line would be welcomed by those who live along that route. Will the Minister provide an update on the Derry to Coleraine phase 3 project?” asked the Foyle MLA.
The minister replied: “I have ring-fenced £5.9m of funding this year to maintain progression on phase 3 of the track improvement between Coleraine and Derry. Those improvements will see 20 miles of track renewals, allowing track speeds to increase and leading to improved journey times.”
Phase 3 of the upgrade involves renewing ballast and sleepers between Castlerock and Eglinton, structural and drainage works to allow for line speed increases of up to 90 miles per hour.