The Case for Rail In the North-West City Region Into The West - July 2019
Background • A clear disparity exists in rail provision : a) East & West of the River Bann. b) Between the North-West & the rest of the island
Rail Map of Ireland
Location of NI’s 54 Rail Stations R T R U S H P O Total Number of Rail Stations C O L E R A I N E DERRY East 51 West 3 BALLYMENA LARNE B E L F A S T C I T Y ANTRIM 1 1 S t a t i o n s BANGOR L I S B U R N W N R T A D O P O NEWRY
SIX WA YS DERRY’S RAILWA Y SERVICE IS SUB-STANDARD vs EAST OF THE BANN S 4 I 1 X T 5 2 O F I 3 6 X
7 Key Benefits of Rail ECONOMIC : Jobs/People gravitate towards good infrastructure. EMPLOYMENT: Easier to access job & training opportunities. SOCIAL JUSTICE: No car access = 36% in Derry, 40% in Strabane. TOURISM : Make it easier for visitors to access our area. STATUS : Certain things are expected in a regional capital. CLIMATE CHANGE: A viable alternative to private vehicle usage. QUALITY OF LIFE: Cleaner air, less congestion, easier journeys.
History of Rail in N.W.C.R • Comprehensive rail network existed on both sides of the border across North-West City Region (NWCR) until the 1960s. • 2001 Stormont proposed shutting Derry-Belfast line at Coleraine • Every penny secured for rail infrastructure west of Bann since then had to be fought for : - Took public campaign to save Derry’s rail line. - Took public campaign to secure upgrade of Derry’s track. - Took public campaign to secure new Waterside station. • Public campaign is now seeking to secure 3rd & final phase of track modernisation work.
‘Phase 3 is Key’ • Rail track between Eglinton & Downhill is out-of-date = Limits train speed & frequency. • Work to modernise it supposed to happen 2013 = Culture Year. • Split into 3 phases instead : - Phase 1 : 2013 = COMPLETED. - Phase 2 : 2016 = COMPLETED. - Phase 3 : 2021 = PUT OFF TO 2027 or INDEFINITELY . • Phase 3 is essential to : 1) End the rail discrimination against the NW. 2) Enable future improvements to rail here.
Lack of Ambition for Rail in NWCR • No future rail proposals in Council’s key strategies : � - Local Development Plan ? � - Strategic Growth Plan ? � - City Deal Proposals ? • No protection of former rail routes in Planning Policies. • No mention of any future projects for North-West in Stormont’s ‘Rail Investment Prioritisation Strategy’ (2014). • Without a role for rail, how will council achieve key ambitions re : - Regeneration. - Economic Development - Climate Change. - Modal Shift (Transportation).
What Enhanced Role Could Rail Have Here ? 1) Express trains to Belfast. - Limited stops / 90min journey time. 2) Thru-trains to Dublin. - End objective = 3hr 30mins journey time. 3) New multi-purpose ‘Foyle Parkway’ Station east of Derry. - Local rail station for Eglinton, Ballykelly, Strathfoyle etc. - Park & Rail. - City of Derry Airport. 4) Line Extensions to Strabane & Letterkenny. 5) Western Rail Corridor. 6) ‘The Derry Road’.
A North-West Rail Network ? Ballykelly ? Derry Foyle 2 Parkway Letterkenny 1 3 Strabane
‘West On Track’
Derry - Portadown Rail Route T R U S H P O R O L E R A I N E C DERRY BALLYMENA LARNE A B A N E S T R B E L F A S T C I T Y ANTRIM 1 1 S t a t i o n s BANGOR A G H O M N D U N G A N N O L I S B U R N D O W N P O R T A NEWRY
None of this can happen without… 3 2 1 The Phase 3 Works.
Our Ask of DC&SDC 1) Formally Push DFI for Phase 3 Prioritisation ( start 2020 ). 2) Include ambitious role for rail in key Council strategies. 3) Work with colleagues in Donegal CC & Causeway Coast/Glens to lobby for enhanced rail provision in NW. 4) Take strategic view re preferred location of Phase 3 passing loop. 5) Work proactively with relevant councils to progress Western Rail Corridor & reinstallation of ‘The Derry Road’. 6) Push for new Stormont Rail Investment Strategy, with projects in NWCR included. 7) Secure funding for separate feasibility studies into extending rail to Strabane & Letterkenny.
Thank You.
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