COULTER WELCOMES TRAIN TRACK MOVES
Friday, May 2nd, 2008
Rev Dr Robert Coulter, the Ulster Unionist Party Assembly member for North Antrim and UUP Stormont Commissioner, has welcomed the latest moves by Translink to enhance the rail service between Ballymena and Coleraine on the Londonderry line.
Assemblyman Dr Coulter said this would be an “invaluable link between the two great constituencies of North Antrim and East Londonderry ”.
He added: “I warmly welcome Translink’s announcement that 1,500 tonnes of new rail has been delivered to Coleraine to form part of the extension project between Ballymena and Coleraine which was provided for under the recently approved Stormont Executive budget.
“I hope it will not be too long before the planned works get underway later this year, following what Translink announced was a competitive tendering process starting in May.
“I am also pleased by Translink comments that work is progressing well on the repair of what it terms ‘wet spots – areas of weakening in the stone supporting the track – between Ballymena and Coleraine.
“Translink has said this new rail will be used to enable the removal of the track joints between Ballymena and Coleraine as well as the replacement of five miles of track between Ballymena and Coleraine as part of the overall engineering works planned for autumn 2008 to late summer 2009.
“I am especially pleased by the Translink announcement that this immediate engineering work is expected to be completed later this summer.
“Once completed, the project will not only boost the comfort in which the passengers travel, but will greatly assist with developing the growing tourist trade in our constituency as well as expand the East West travel links in Northern Ireland,” said Assemblyman Dr Coulter.