Debate contribution: All-island Rail Network

Debate contribution by Mr Daniel McCrossan on 27 February 2024.

MLA

Mr Daniel McCrossan

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 4238110

Read the official Assembly record

Text

If today's debate shows us one thing, it is that we all feel strongly about the issue. Being from Tyrone, I, in particular, know more than most about the real infrastructure deficit that exists. This map, which my colleague Mark Durkan held up earlier, tells a story in itself. No words are needed. There is a clear problem with this picture. Generations of people have suffered as a result of a lack of investment in the west. The lack of connectivity has plagued the west and places across Ireland for many years. Decades ago, rail services were stripped away from Tyrone, Fermanagh, Donegal and right into Derry, as was touched on by Members across the Chamber, effectively cutting the west out of the rail transportation picture. That short-sighted decision, as the Minister rightly pointed out, has exacerbated the already blatant disregard for the west, leaving us feeling — I can say this strongly, because it is feedback that I receive a lot from people — like second-class citizens when it comes to infrastructure and rail connectivity. It is time to acknowledge the past neglect and advocate for change. I think that there is a united voice in recognition of that, but there are Members in the House today who have had the luxury of enjoying rail connectivity all their life. All that we have is the treacherous, dangerous A5 road. The SDLP has taken a proactive stance by spearheading the consultation on the all-island rail review, which was led by Nichola Mallon. That comprehensive review aims to rectify the decades of neglect in rail infrastructure that the north-west and west have endured. Rail is not just about transportation but about safety, the environment, the economy and, most importantly, connecting communities across this island. A well-developed rail network fosters growth, reduces carbon emissions and enhances social cohesion by bridging the physical gaps between our regions, and numerous Members pointed that out today. Imagine the potential transformation that awaits us, and I speak selfishly here, when Strabane and Omagh are seamlessly connected to Donegal, Derry, Fermanagh and the rest of the island through a reliable rail system. That connectivity will not only enhance the quality of life of our people but unlock new opportunities for economic development and cultural change. Let us not overlook the practicality and value of investing in rail infrastructure. It makes sense on so many levels. By prioritising rail connectivity in the west and across this island, we are making a commitment to a sustainable and prosperous future for all our citizens.

I will indeed.

Absolutely. I agree with my colleague. The first step to ensuring change in relation to rail is to make your first move. I hope that the Minister will do that in ensuring that we take a step forward collectively towards achieving that and rectifying the deficit. For over a century, trains rattled across the land, linking towns to cities. That came to a halt in 1965, which was a decision that ended a century of rail access for Tyrone and Donegal and stripped the west of most of its infrastructure. The decline began just after partition, which was touched on earlier. Partition disrupted trade on many natural routes. The closure also severed a vital link between the north-west and the west of the island and Dublin. Since those closures, two whole generations have been raised in Tyrone and Donegal without access to a mode of transport that much of the rest of the island takes for granted.

The biggest act of self-harm to all aspects of our infrastructure was the Troubles. Much disruption was caused to our infrastructure, and much was destroyed that we have never properly been able to replace, so I thank the Member for the intervention. The public's desire to see rail return and expand across the west has remained strong ever since it was removed. That was shown when the public consultation, held as part of the cross-border all-island strategic rail review, received its highest number of contributions from the Fermanagh and Omagh and Derry and Strabane districts. That confirmed the huge interest that exists across the west of Northern Ireland for the return and expansion of a rail network. I must admit that my favourite paragraph in the whole report was that the restoration of a line from Derry to Portadown and on to Letterkenny in County Donegal:

"would link the large towns of Strabane, Omagh, and Dungannon to the rail network and greatly improve intercity connectivity"

from the north-west to Belfast and Dublin. That is a paragraph that gives great hope to the people in my area who have been deprived of decent infrastructure links for a generation. People in West Tyrone and many areas across the North have been let down by substandard rail and public transport links for far too long. Like many others, I am reminded constantly of our railway heritage by abandoned tracks and station houses across our constituencies, many of which have become greenways. One opened in Strabane just this week, which is a fantastic investment in the local area, but, now that we are talking about this, we are seeing a need to ensure that we protect those routes. Those abandoned tracks and station houses are cruel reminder of the railways that were available to past generations for hundreds of years. When it was launched by former Minister Nichola Mallon and Minister Eamon Ryan, I said that the all-island rail review was a once-in-a-generation opportunity to address the lack of rail infrastructure in my constituency and in many others. That is the theme that has come across in the House today. There is a great sense of hope and excitement about this conversation. The review provided us with a unique opportunity to completely reimagine our rail network and devise a fit-for-purpose, cross-border service, hugely expanding the number of routes available and getting people to where they need to be in a timely, efficient and safe manner. I used the word "safe" because, I say again as a Member for West Tyrone, we take for granted every day that many people go out the door to go to work, to carry out their duties or to take their children to school and, unfortunately, do not come home because of the treacherous infrastructure issues in my constituency and in others. I argued in my submission to the review that West Tyrone must form an important part of these plans as a dedicated hub that serves the North and South. If we are to address historical issues around the lack of jobs and investment needed to improve people's standard of living, we need modern transport links that meet the needs of our population. As pointed out by Mr Stewart in relation to some airports, connecting three of the island's main airports to the rail network — Dublin, Belfast International and Shannon — would give 90% of commercial aviation passengers access by train. I welcome Minister O'Dowd's comments on Derry. Direct access would truly add to the sustainability of the City of Derry Airport. That would be transformative for the economy in that part of the island. Two thirds of the island's freight tonnage would pass through ports served by the railway network. If all the review report's recommendations were to be delivered, its authors suggest that 700,000 more people across the island of Ireland would live within 5 km of a train station, boosting rail catchment by 25% on today's totals. We will never be able to improve our economy unless we offer adequate transport to all major towns and cities on the island, including places such as Enniskillen and Fermanagh that have been left out of the review. We need the Infrastructure Minister to bring back a costed implementation plan this year, and we need to deliver real options for my constituency, for Fermanagh and for every county on the island. Together, let us advocate for a comprehensive and inclusive rail network that serves the needs of every community, including those in the west. The time for change is now. We must work together towards a brighter and better-connected future for all our children. This debate is about much more than rail. As was rightly pointed out, it is about addressing a historical deficit — a wrong from many years ago. We have an opportunity to step forward together to offer all our people a much better future.

1,405 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Assessment

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Assessed 21 October 2026 at 09:42 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.

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