§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
What capital projects and track maintenance have taken place on the Northern Ireland Railway Companies line between Ballymena and Londonderry since 1 January 1997; and what new capital and maintenance work is proposed for this line in the next two years. [HL2634]
§ The Lord Privy Seal (Lord Williams of Mostyn):Translink has advised that since 1 January 1997 the following capital projects have been carried out on the line between Ballymena and Londonderry:
at Ballymena, Coleraine and Castlerock stations there has been excavation and replacement of spent ballast, removal and renewal of bull-head rail on timber sleepers with new concrete sleepers and rail used as necessary;
continuous welded rail has been installed on the line adjacent to City of Derry airport and half a mile west of Downhill;
work has been carried out on rail bridges and footbridges at various locations including Ballymoney, Cullybackey, Coleraine, Bellarena, Londonderry and Greysteel;
approximately 70 metres of sea defences at Enagh, south west of Lisnahally, have been repaired.
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