§ Mr. AdleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the condition of Northern Ireland's rail system; and what proposals he has for privatisation.
§ Mr. AtkinsResponsibility for the maintenance of railways in Northern Ireland rests with Northern Ireland Railways. I am advised by the managing director that, arising from several recent studies, the company has undertaken a complete review of the railway system including the permanent way, signalling and level crossings; bridge works; rolling stock and maintenance facilities; and stations and passenger amenities. Substantial improvements will flow from the two major 397W capital projects which are currently under way, namely the upgrading of the Belfast/Dublin rail link and the construction of the cross-harbour rail bridge in Belfast. The latter includes provision for new depot maintenance facilities. A programme to upgrade 22 level crossings on the Londonderry line is already well advanced and the company has comprehensive plans to upgrade the remainder of the rail system by the late 1990s. This will include replacement of rolling stock for use on short-haul services within Northern Ireland. Facilities for passengers at stations will also be improved to meet the company's obligations under its passengers charter launched in November 1992.
In accordance with the commitment in the citizens charter for Northern Ireland, the Government commissioned a study into the scope for introducing a private
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(A) Local authorities Local authority Nature of allegation Tribunal decision Fermanagh District Council (DC) Dismissal Dismissed Banbridge District Council Non-appointment Dismissed following withdrawal Dungannon District Council Non-appointment Dismissed North Down Borough Council (BC) Non-promotion Allowed Moyle District Council Non-appointment Dismissed following withdrawal Castlereagh Borough Council Dismissal Dismissed following withdrawal Castlereach Borough Council Non-promotion Awaiting hearing Belfast City Council (CC) Non-promotion Dismissed following withdrawal Belfast City Council Non-promotion Dismissed following withdrawal Belfast City Council Non-promotion Allowed Belfast City Council Non-promotion Allowed Belfast City Council Non-promotion Allowed Belfast City Council Non-promotion Belfast City Council Non-promotion Allowed Belfast City Council Non-promotion Allowed Belfast City Council Non-promotion Awaiting hearing Belfast City Council Non-promotion Awaiting hearing Belfast City Council Non-promotion Awaiting hearing Limavady Borough Council Dismissal Dismissed following withdrawal Larne Borough Council Non-appointment Dismissed following withdrawal Limavady Borough Council Non-promotion Allowed Limavady Borough Council Non-appointment Awaiting hearing Belfast City Council Non-appointment Dismissed Armagh Dismissal Dismissed following withdrawal Dungannon DC Non-Appointment Settled Castlereagh BC Dismissal Dismissed following withdrawal Belfast CC Non-Promotion Awaiting hearing Belfast CC Non-Promotion Awaiting hearing Ballymena BC Non-Promotion Allowed Newtownabbey BC Non-Appointment Awaiting hearing Belfast CC Harassment Dismissed following withdrawal Coleraine BC Non-Appointment Awaiting hearing Lisburn BC Dismissal Dismissed following withdrawal Lisburn BC Non-Appointment Dismissed following withdrawal Belfast CC Non-Promotion Awaiting hearing Cookstown DC Non-Appointment Awaiting hearing Magherafelt DC Non-Appointment Awaiting hearing Belfast CC Non-Appointment Awaiting hearing Limavady BC Non-Promotion Awaiting hearing Belfast CC Dismissal Awaiting hearing Belfast CC Victimisation Awaiting hearing Belfast CC Victimisation Awaiting hearing Strabane DC Harassment Awaiting hearing Ballymena BC Non-Appointment Awaiting hearing Newtownabbey BC Non-Appointment Awaiting hearing Ards BC Non-Appointment Awaiting hearing Newry and Mourne DC Harassment Awaiting hearing Derry CC Non-Appointment Awaiting hearing Derry CC Non-Appointment Awaiting hearing Omagh DC Non-Appointment Awaiting hearing Ballymena BC Non-Promotion Awaiting hearing Strabane DC Harassment Awaiting hearing Belfast CC Harassment Awaiting hearing. element into the management and operation of Northern Ireland Railways. The report has been received and is under consideration.