§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will ensure that the proposed railway transport task force in Northern Ireland will take into account the draft regional framework document entitled Shaping our Future published in 1999 as well as a proposal for a light railway connection from Portadown to Armagh using the original track bed. [HL2216]
§ Lord Falconer of ThorotonIn considering the future options for Northern Ireland railways, the railways task force will take relevant policy documentation into account, including the draft regional strategic framework for Northern Ireland.
The task force will also take account of the range of projections of possible need and demand for rail services within the wider strategic context of the future development of transportation in Northern Ireland. Specific options, such as a light railway connection from Portadown to Armagh using the original track bed, will be considered in the more detailed development of a regional transportation strategy.