Debate contribution: All-island Rail Network

Debate contribution by Mr Mark Durkan on 27 February 2024.

MLA

Mr Mark Durkan

Party at the time

Social Democratic and Labour Party

Date

27 February 2024

Type

Debate contribution

Business

Private Members' Business

Heading

All-island Rail Network

Assembly identifier

Official Report component 4237655

Read the official Assembly record

Text

I beg to move

I welcome the opportunity to raise this issue and recommit to the SDLP's long-term vision to deliver an all-island rail network that not only is fit for modern society but abolishes historical regional disparities. Enhancing connectivity between communities will instigate the modal shift that is needed to reach climate goals and will deliver fairness in economic growth for historically neglected regions. In the Government, the SDLP led the way in securing the all-island strategic rail review, alongside the Irish Government. That €30 billion plan to connect communities across borders, decarbonise public transport and deliver new opportunities set out the scale of our ambition. In opposition, we will hold the Executive to account over whether they do or do not hold up their end and deliver on that ambition. We have consistently extolled the many virtues of all-island rail. While there have been some gains, the failure to grasp the full, huge potential that an expanded rail network would yield has stifled the island as a whole but particularly the north-west. A quick glance at the map shows the blatant disparity in rail provision between east and west. That gap on the map is an indelible mark on the collective consciousness and suggests that the north-west is a place shut off, isolated and unsuitable for prospective visitors and investors. The stark gap is a microcosm of the wider gaps that the west faces.

I thank the Member for his intervention. I am not sure of the logic behind it. He will clearly see, if he looks at the map that I am holding, the north-west, and Fermanagh is clearly in the north-west and the west of the map. That gap would have become a complete abyss had the then Department for Regional Development (DRD) and Translink had their way over a decade ago when they signalled that it was to be the end of the line for the Derry line. However, thanks to the monumental efforts of the lobby group Into the West, the wider Derry public, politicians in the SDLP and others, including Mr Elliott's past colleague Minister Danny Kennedy, the real potential of that Derry to Belfast line was recognised. Now we want it realised. My colleague the late John Dallat spoke, I remember, in great detail and at great length many times in the Chamber on the virtues of rail. Many Members thought that he was harking back to the past when it is evident now that he was looking back to the future — where he was going, "we don't need roads".

In recent years, we have seen incremental improvements, including an hourly service and the delivery of the award-winning north-west transport hub. Those modest but transformational changes have all but eliminated any doubt that the naysayers cast about the viability of the line. Since the hourly Belfast service was introduced in 2017, we have witnessed, year-on-year, record-breaking passenger numbers for Derry rail. That is the living embodiment of the phrase:

"If you build it, he will come."

Therefore, it stands to reason that, if and when we build more, even more will come. The motion calls on the Minister to get his Department working on how that will be built and how the building of it will be paid for. There remains, however, blatant discrimination in timetabling, with fewer trains and less frequent services than elsewhere. Derry and Fermanagh — the west — deserve accessible rail provision, hourly Sunday services and stops at City of Derry Airport, Ballykelly and Strathfoyle. Minister Mallon expanded on the New Decade, New Approach commitment to have high-speed, cross-border connectivity including the north-west, but, bizarrely, the draft report that came forward excluded the Derry to Portadown line from the 200 kph rail speeds, condemning the route to the lowest rail speed on the island. That needs to be addressed in the final strategy. High-speed rail is the key to durability and success, making it a more attractive mode of transport for everyone. Why should we settle for less than everywhere else? It is simply not good enough. The days of us in the west being second-class passengers are over. Similarly, there has been drawn-out wrangling around phase 3 to Coleraine, which needs commencement and completion.

We have remained consistent and persistent in our desire to see delivery on these perpetually postponed rail improvements to the North's second city. Nichola Mallon put the project back on track after it hit a Hazzard, shall we say. She secured the feasibility study.

It is long past the time that we end Derry's status as the most isolated station on the Northern Ireland rail network. That will help to tackle regional imbalance, and will steer the whole region on a course towards a brighter future. I call on the Minister to give immediate sign-off on the feasibility study and the funding required — and promised — to see its delivery. It is due to start in 2025 for completion in 2027. We cannot afford more slippage.

Certainly; briefly.

One would certainly hope that it is. That is in the public domain, so it should be factored into the costing and forward planning for implementation of the final strategy. Derry — you will be glad to hear me say — cannot be the end of the line, however. We recognise the huge potential for infrastructure infill along the north and west coasts, connecting rural, isolated areas and advancing tourism. That will rely on the restoration of rail in Tyrone, and an expansion into Donegal and beyond. Connecting border regions will open up prospects right across the island. Ensuring a thriving rail network means that no county can be left behind. Fermanagh should not be the only county on this island without access to rail. An Omagh-Enniskillen-Sligo link is just common sense, and must be in the strategy. It cannot be set aside to a later date that never comes. That is why we included "every county" as a goal in the motion. We fear that the amendment reduces that ambition. It has taken decades to get the wheels in motion for all-island rail. It is time now to build upon the foundation blocks and recent investment from the Irish Government. I have no doubt that we can work collectively, across the Chamber and across these islands, to deliver the much-needed and much-demanded services. On the amendment, of course we would welcome collaboration with and between the Irish and British Governments to produce a cost-implemented plan to provide expertise. The Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) report shows that we could do with much more expertise in the delivery of major infrastructure projects. We would welcome funding from anywhere. We will not turn our noses up at that. It is quite likely that this could draw funding from Europe as well given the trans-frontier nature of what we are discussing. However, we have to get moving now. Too much time has already been squandered. Without question, rail is the most environmentally friendly transport option. A success is at the core of achieving a greener future. Getting people out of their cars and into trains will reduce congestion and pollution —

Certainly, Mr Deputy Speaker. This needs to be prioritised because, in our view — well, certainly in my view — this is the single most important project in the economic and environmental opportunities for the island.

1,232 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

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Assessed 21 October 2026 at 09:40 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.

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