§ Lord Alderdiceasked Her Majesty's Government:
Why there has been a delay in the re-opening of the Bleach Green to Antrim railway line; and when the line is now due to be opened.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Northern Ireland Office (Lord Dubs)This delay has been due to the priority which was given to the upgrading of the Belfast-Dublin railway line and rolling stock. Current Northern Ireland Railway planning assumptions envisage commencement of work on the Bleach Green to Antrim scheme in mid-1998.
§ Lord Alderdiceasked Her Majesty's Government:
What action they intend to take in order to ensure that the European Union's agreed 75 per cent. grant aid for the Bleach Green to Antrim railway line is not rescinded because of construction delays.
§ Lord DubsThe current Northern Ireland Railway planning assumptions envisage commencement of work on the Bleach Green to Antrim reinstatement during 1998, which would enable the draw down of the EU funds within the life of the current NI Single Programming Document 1994–99.