New connection back on track... Minister orders study into Derry-Dublin rail link

Transport chiefs are looking at the possibility of a direct train link from Derry to Dublin, it has been revealed.

At present, anyone travelling by train from Derry to Dublin has to get off at Central Station in Belfast and wait for the connecting train to Dublin.

However, the Derry News has learned that Infrastructure Minister Chris Hazzard has instructed his officials to carry out a “feasability study” into a direct rail link between Derry and Dublin.

Such a link would be a major boost to the local transport network.

Mr Haazard said a “strategic connection between Derry, Belfast and Dublin will help unlock the economic potential of the North West.”

However, the Minister did admit that should the service be introduced it would prove costly.

"The ability to run a Derry to Dublin direct service requires the purchase of additional rolling stock commensurate with an intercity service and then increasing the frequency of services between Derry to Belfast and Belfast to Dublin to an hourly frequency," he said.

"This will require a significant increase in revenue subsidy both for NIR and Iarnród Éireann as well as new Enterprise trains."

The plans could tie in to the opening of a new £26 million Derry Transport Hub at the old Waterside Railway Station.

A new rail terminus is part of the plan that seeks to promote more sustainable transport in Derry.

Mr Hazzard announced last month that the facility would include rail travel along with other facilities to encourage greater use of public transport.

Work on the new hub is expected to start in 2018 with the project due to be completed by 2020.

The details of the feasibility study into a Derry to Dublin rail link were revealed by Mr Hazzard following a question in the Northern Ireland Assembly.