AQW 19372/17-22

Mr Andrew Muir
Alliance Party
North Down

Tabled Date: 24/05/2021
Answered On Date: 07/06/2021
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Infrastructure to detail the scope of the feasibility study concerning provision of additional rail halts on the line from Derry-Londonderry to Coleraine.

Answer:

I am ambitious for our rail network, and am keen to do all that I can to explore how we can progress rail improvements within the limited budgetary envelope that I have available. I believe that rail has huge untapped potential to deliver multiple benefits across our island and I am committed to addressing regional imbalance by improving connectivity to the North West area. In line with this, I have commissioned a feasibility study to get Phase 3 of the Coleraine to Derry project back on track. I have also commissioned additional studies to explore the possibility of a half hourly service from Derry to Belfast as well as providing additional halts at Ballykelly, Strathfoyle and City of Derry Airport/Eglinton.

In terms of their scope, the feasibility studies are considering the future demand and benefit for those future halts located between Bellarena and Derry. They will also consider the additional halts within the context of their impact on the overall network timetable.