Announcement on Derry-Coleraine rail upgrade 'within weeks': Dallat

 An announcement will be made within weeks on an upgrade for the Derry-to-Coleraine railway line, East Derry MLA John Dallat has said.

A member of Stormont's Regional Development Committee, Mr Dallat was speaking ahead of a visit to Derry today by senior Translink and government officials to answer questions about the cost of the rail upgrade.

Speaking on BBC Radio Foyle, Mr Dallat said he was looking forward to a "new era for the north west".

He said: "Last time only one contractor expressed an interest, this time I understand there are four and a lot of the figures that should have been done the last time have been done.

"The date on an announcement is still a few weeks away but I'm looking forward to a new era for the north west and I hope that the city of Derry and all the towns in-between will have a new rail service by 2016.

"It's not a dream it's a reality and I'm absolutely confident because I know that no other city in the world doesn't have a decent inter-city service."