The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh to visit Bellarena

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh. Photo: PA Wire

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh are set to visit the newly-opened Bellarena station as part of a two-day visit this week.

The Royals will take a steam train journey to Bellarena on the historic Coleraine to Derry line.

During the two-day visit, they’ll meet with the First and Deputy First ministers.

They will tour the famous Giant’s Causeway stones and also visit the nearby village of Bushmills, where they will unveil a statue to local VC winner Robert Quigg.

Mary Casey of Into the West at Bellarena.

The Co Antrim born soldier was awarded the highest military honour for bravery shown during the Battle of the Somme in 1916.

They will also attend a reception at Royal Portrush Golf Club. The seaside course is due to host the Open Championship in 2019.

Into The West Rail Lobby Group, which was established in 2001 say they have been successful in securing recent investment on the upgrade of the Bellarena rail platform shelters.

“Local rail users were strong in their condemnation of the new platforms shelter provision and lack of design consultation,” a spokesperson for Into The West Rail Lobby Group said.

“Recent lobbying and representations by Mary Casey and her fellow members of the Into The West Rail Lobby Group with Translink officials and on social media has recently successfully secured the much needed upgrade which will benefit the welfare of rail users at this open rural Bellarena platform.”