HL Deb 10 May 2004 vol 661 c2WA
Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 21 April (WA 36), whether any section of central government has plans to carry out a study of the tourism potential of the railway line between Coleraine and Londonderry. [HL2515]

Baroness Amos

There are no specific plans to carry out such a study; however the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment does intend to look at the public transport arrangements in Northern Ireland from a tourism perspective. The terms of reference and timing of this exercise have still to be decided.

Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 21 April (WA 36), why the Northern Ireland Tourist Board has no plans to undertake a study of the tourism potential of the railway line between Coleraine and Londonderry. [HL2516]

Baroness Amos

Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) has developed a strategic framework for action covering 2004–07 which identifies those priorities which will be the focus for attention over the next three years.

The railway line between Coleraine and Londonderry, while picturesque, is not one of these priorities. The NITB does not therefore plan to undertake a study of its tourism potential and could not justify diverting its resources to such an exercise.