Menu
16/01/2002
Assembly to decide details of investment in railways
Regional Development Minister, Peter Robinson, has stressed that the level of future investment in transportation, and railways in particular, in Northern Ireland will ultimately be determined in the Assembly’s budgetary process.
The Minister was responding to comments from lobby groups following the publication of the Strategic Rail Authority’s 10-year strategy for the development of rail travel in GB, which envisages a commitment of £33.5 billion by Government over the next 10 years.
Mr Robinson said: “The proposal outlined yesterday was only for Great Britain and does not involve Northern Ireland. However, I would point out that the needs of Northern Ireland in transportation terms are as great, if not greater, than Great Britian and I will continue to make the case for more funding.”
The Minister said that the railway network in Northern Ireland has suffered four decades of under-investment. Furthermore, the level of subsidies for running railways in Northern Ireland has been significantly less than in Great Britain.
“Within my Department we began to tackle this within the work of the Railways Task Force which reported in the autumn of 2000. This led to the Assembly voting a £105m investment in the consolidation of the core railway network in Northern Ireland,” he added.
“In addition to improvements in the railway infrastructure in certain parts of the network, this funding has enabled the procurement of 23 new train sets, which are due for delivery within the next two years.
The £105m investment arising from the Railways Task Force is supposed to enable the Assembly to address the most pressing safety and infrastructural problems. Issues of further investment in railways in Northern Ireland will be addressed within the context of the 10-year Regional Transportation Strategy, which Mr Robinson stated was “at an advanced stage of preparation” within his Department. (CL)
The Minister was responding to comments from lobby groups following the publication of the Strategic Rail Authority’s 10-year strategy for the development of rail travel in GB, which envisages a commitment of £33.5 billion by Government over the next 10 years.
Mr Robinson said: “The proposal outlined yesterday was only for Great Britain and does not involve Northern Ireland. However, I would point out that the needs of Northern Ireland in transportation terms are as great, if not greater, than Great Britian and I will continue to make the case for more funding.”
The Minister said that the railway network in Northern Ireland has suffered four decades of under-investment. Furthermore, the level of subsidies for running railways in Northern Ireland has been significantly less than in Great Britain.
“Within my Department we began to tackle this within the work of the Railways Task Force which reported in the autumn of 2000. This led to the Assembly voting a £105m investment in the consolidation of the core railway network in Northern Ireland,” he added.
“In addition to improvements in the railway infrastructure in certain parts of the network, this funding has enabled the procurement of 23 new train sets, which are due for delivery within the next two years.
The £105m investment arising from the Railways Task Force is supposed to enable the Assembly to address the most pressing safety and infrastructural problems. Issues of further investment in railways in Northern Ireland will be addressed within the context of the 10-year Regional Transportation Strategy, which Mr Robinson stated was “at an advanced stage of preparation” within his Department. (CL)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
24 November 2004
Northern Ireland Railways on track with new train
The first of 23 new trains bought by Northern Ireland Railways at the cost of £80 million has travelled from Portadown to Belfast today. The three-carriage train is the first to arrive from Spanish firm CAF and should cut journey times as well as overcrowding and reliability problems.
Northern Ireland Railways on track with new train
The first of 23 new trains bought by Northern Ireland Railways at the cost of £80 million has travelled from Portadown to Belfast today. The three-carriage train is the first to arrive from Spanish firm CAF and should cut journey times as well as overcrowding and reliability problems.
10 November 2016
1,000km Of Greenways Approved
Northern Ireland's Infrastructure Minister Chris Hazzard has approved 1,000km of greenways in the region. The news comes as the Minister publishes his Strategic Plan to develop a network of greenway paths across the north of Ireland, including cross border connections.
1,000km Of Greenways Approved
Northern Ireland's Infrastructure Minister Chris Hazzard has approved 1,000km of greenways in the region. The news comes as the Minister publishes his Strategic Plan to develop a network of greenway paths across the north of Ireland, including cross border connections.
25 November 2024
SDLP Seeks Views On Proposed Regional Jobs, Skills and Investment Bill
The SDLP has announced the launch of a public consultation of their proposed Regional Jobs, Skills and Investment Bill, describing it as an opportunity to rebalance the economy across the North. The consultation opened online today and will close on Sunday 16th February.
SDLP Seeks Views On Proposed Regional Jobs, Skills and Investment Bill
The SDLP has announced the launch of a public consultation of their proposed Regional Jobs, Skills and Investment Bill, describing it as an opportunity to rebalance the economy across the North. The consultation opened online today and will close on Sunday 16th February.
25 March 2009
NIR On Track To Roll-Out 20 New Trains
It has been confirmed today that a multi-million pound contract for a further 20 new trains has been signed by Northern Ireland Railways. The rail manufacturer Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles (CAF) - based in Beasain and Zaragoza in northern Spain - officially signed the deal with Translink for the Class 4000 (C4k) trains.
NIR On Track To Roll-Out 20 New Trains
It has been confirmed today that a multi-million pound contract for a further 20 new trains has been signed by Northern Ireland Railways. The rail manufacturer Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles (CAF) - based in Beasain and Zaragoza in northern Spain - officially signed the deal with Translink for the Class 4000 (C4k) trains.
10 August 2004
Investigation into train death continues
The Northern Ireland Health and Safety Executive are continuing to investigate the death of a train driver in Co Londonderry at the weekend. The body of Nigel Shiels, 36, from Coleraine, who was working on the 11.25am service from Londonderry on Saturday, was found by police beside the railway line in Eglinton, close to the City of Derry airport.
Investigation into train death continues
The Northern Ireland Health and Safety Executive are continuing to investigate the death of a train driver in Co Londonderry at the weekend. The body of Nigel Shiels, 36, from Coleraine, who was working on the 11.25am service from Londonderry on Saturday, was found by police beside the railway line in Eglinton, close to the City of Derry airport.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
