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Mr. Beggs: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what funding the railway line between Larne and Whitehead will receivefrom the Regional Transport Strategy 2002-12; and what funding will be available for upgrading this stretch of line in the future.[82682]Angela Smith: The Regional Transportation Strategy (RTS) for Northern Ireland 2002-2012, identifies a range of strategictransportation investment priorities including funding of just over £500 million in railways over the next 10 years. It does notspecify amounts to be invested in individual railway lines. Commitments to proceed with any major capital scheme will be subject tothe normal Budgetary process, economic appraisal and the consideration of any statutory procedures. Furthermore, decisions on theretention of rail services north of Whitehead; and north and north-west of Ballymena, will also be subject to successful resultsfrom the introduction of new trains and improved infrastructure on the rest of the network early in the implementation of theStrategy. |