Derry/Londonderry to Belfast Rail Service

Part of Regional Development – in the Northern Ireland Assembly at 3:00 am on 13 October 2008.

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Photo of Conor Murphy Conor Murphy Sinn Féin 3:00, 13 October 2008

That issue has been raised several times, as have rail halts at both Belfast airports. There are criteria for the number of passengers who might use such a service; Aldergrove may be moving towards that target, but the City of Derry Airport is a long way from it.

We want to ensure that we improve and upgrade the line between Derry and Coleraine after the upgrade from Ballymena to Coleraine to ensure that a decent rail service is provided between Belfast and Derry. A rail halt at the City of Derry Airport will not be considered as part of that project. I am happy to keep the matter under review; however, given the criteria used to consider the International Airport, the City of Derry Airport is a long way from meeting those criteria.