Northern Ireland: Railways

HL Deb 24 February 2004 vol 658 cc41-2WA

Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What plans they have to promote the railway line between Coleraine and Londonderry as a tourist attraction. [HL1295]

Baroness Amos

The Government provide substantial resources to Northern Ireland Railways to enable them to maintain railway services, including services on the Coleraine-Londonderry line. They would welcome any increase in the low levels of patronage of services on this line, but do not promote it or assist in promoting it as a tourist attraction.

Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

When was the track on the railway line between Coleraine and Portrush relaid; and at what cost. [HL1296]

Baroness Amos

Translink has advised that the sleepers and rails on the branch railway line between Coleraine and Portrush were replaced in the summer of 2000 with better quality sleepers and rails previously used on the Belfast to Lisburn main line. The cost of the work was £536,411.