AQW 28778/17-22

Mr Andrew Muir
Alliance Party
North Down

Tabled Date: 26/01/2022
Answered On Date: 09/02/2022
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Infrastructure (i) to outline the proposed timescales for delivery of Phase 3 of the Derry~Londonderry to Coleraine line upgrade; and (ii) whether this will involve night working or complete line closure.

Answer:

I am pleased to inform you that work on the feasibility study is now complete and I can confirm that it has outlined various options for the redevelopment of this vitally important railway line.

The options identified in the study will now be fully examined in an Outline Business Case which is currently being prepared. This will allow the Department to consider the project including its value for money and, if approved, this process will ensure that all spend is informed with high-level assurance on costs, risks and benefit realisation.

If the Outline Business Case is approved and funding is allocated for this project, it is anticipated that construction will commence in 2025 and complete by 2027.

The feasibility study has demonstrated that construction for this project will mainly require a line closure supported by night time working. I can confirm that the line closure is not anticipated for the full construction period however this will be fully communicated to stakeholders and citizens should the project progress.