New concerns over Derry-Belfast rail upgrade

New concerns have been expressed that the introduction of an hourly rail service between Derry and Belfast could be delayed because of funding issues.

East Derry MLA John Dallat was responding to a letter sent to Assembly members by Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy.

Mr Dallat said: “Clearly the progress on the upgrading of the signalling equipment, which hasn’t been upgraded since the 1930s, is welcome news and presumably there is money to carry out this vital work. Yet I am very concerned that the actual upgrade appears now to be dependent on European funding which can’t happen for at least six months if at all according to Mr Kennedy’s letter.”

 “I welcome the application for European funding under the Special European Programmes Body (SEUPB) and indeed advocated this approach for many years but my concerns proposals were dismissed without consideration.”

 “While I accept that the current minister inherited a legacy of neglect from previous ministers and was successful in getting the Phase 1 of the upgrade carried out it is unacceptable that the project is now left to wither on the vine.”

 “In the same letter the Minister, in a positive disclosure, informs me that there has been success in securing a very substantial European funding package, which hopefully will contribute to a new train station and transport hub in Derry.”

Mr Dallat concluded: “This is good news but doesn’t compensate in any way for a possible delay in carrying out the critical Phase II of the upgrade which will give the North West, for the first time, a proper rail link with Belfast and the rest of Ireland.”