‘Derry Road’ rail link subject to further feasibility studies and budget affordability says O’Dowd

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The resurrection of a ‘Derry Road’ rail link to Portadown will be the subject to further feasibility and affordability studies, rail minister John O’Dowd has said. Mr. O’Dowd said the implementation of a recommendation to develop the route contained in the draft All-Island Strategic Rail Review (AISRR) report will also require business case approval and necessary funding being made available in future.

Last year Arup’s draft AISSR report estimated that opening a route from Derry to Portadown[2] could cost between GBP1.8 and GBP2.8billion (EUR2.2bn-EUR3.4bn) based on 2021 prices and that work could start by the end of the next decade with completion before 2050. The Infrastructure Minister has been asked to provide a timeline for the implementation of the recommendations by way of a Written Assembly Question.

Arup’s draft All-Island Strategic Rail Review (AISRR) report was published last year.

He replied: “The draft AISRR report was released for public consultation for the purposes of Strategic Environmental Assessment from 25 July to 29 September 2023. Work[3] is ongoing to analyse the responses received and finalise the Review. “Once finalised, one of the key initial steps will be prioritisation of the Review recommendations and development of an implementation plan.

My officials are already engaging with their southern colleagues on these matters.”