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A motion calling for better train services from Newry Railway Station to Dublin and Belfast was passed at last night's March meeting of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council .
The motion brought forward by Newry City Councillor Killian Feehan spoke of the disparity of services that would get users to Belfast before 9am. From Portadown there are 9 services while from Newry there is just one!
Speaking after his motion received cross-party support, Councillor Feehan said “I’m grateful to have the support of all parties in pushing for better train services from Newry Train Station. Bizarrely, there are eight trains running from Portadown every morning which get commuters into work in Belfast before 9am. By comparison, Newry only has one.
“My colleague Justin McNulty has been lobbying the Infrastructure Minister on the need for greater train services from Newry for morning commuters, but frustratingly, the Department for Infrastructure has said that demand for morning services from Newry are very low and the cost of offering more would be too high.
“It seems clear to me that the reason passenger numbers are low from Newry is because the only commuter service to Belfast leaves Newry at 6:30am. In bringing this motion before the Council, I am trying to seize the opportunities in Irish Government’s announcement of €12.5million in funding to introduce an hourly Enterprise Service between Belfast and Dublin.
He continued “The Taoiseach’s funding announcement provides a great opportunity to close the gap that commuters in Newry are currently going up against. By guaranteeing that a new hourly Enterprise Service from Belfast to Dublin will include scheduled stops in Newry in both directions, this would provide a major foot up for Newry without incurring massive cost.
Concluding Cllr Feehan said “In my opinion, it’s totally unacceptable that Newry has one morning train to Belfast, and Portadown has eight. That’s a problem that needs to be tackled, and I’m hopeful that the cross-party support for my initiative will apply enough pressure to get Newry on an equal footing.”
Less cars on the road
Councillor Doire Finn "Obviously we all need to be doing more to look at active travel and make sure that there are less cars on the road and I think it's a greener way to travel and it's something that I would really enjoy as a commuter to be able to do, so I think it's important that we try and ensure those facilities for people going forward."
Sustainable
Rowallane Councillor Tierna Kelly added "The rail in Newry promotes cross border trade, tourism and opportunity and I welcome their commitment toward a one hour travel time for the Belfast Dublin service."
She continued "The inclusion of regular stops and journeys I believe will also connect our district to both the major cities Belfast and Dublin and will do so in a sustainable way. Alliance very much promote investments in our rail services to promote public transport but also to tackle the climate emergency and decarbonize our public transport."
Improved Connections
Cllr Cathal King said that workers would be delighted at the news that €12.5m was being provided by the Irish Government to provide an hourly Dublin to Belfast rail service. Cllr King said "This is very welcome news. As we know capacity on the Enterprise is currently stretched and there's an appetite for better services. Sinn Féin believes the promise of an hourly service from Dublin is fantastic news.
We have consistently called for improved connections between Ireland's two main cities to support the growing needs of business, retail and tourism. This will create greater access for jobs and opportunities help to tackle the climate emergency and will provide a boost to the thriving all island economy. We must continue to invest in our rail network and improve connectivity across this island."
The Motion
Newry Mourne and Down District Council notes the disparity between Newry and Portadown Rail Stations in morning commuter services to Belfast, welcomes the announcement by the Irish Government of €12.5m in funding for a new hourly service between Belfast and Dublin. Asks that this Council write to Department for Infrastructure and Irish Government requesting a commitment from both that the proposed new hourly rail service between Dublin and Belfast will include scheduled stops at Newry Train Station in both directions, with a particular focus on ensuring that the morning and evening commuter departure times from both Newry and Belfast should facilitate normal work starting times and furthermore that Council writes to Translink to gauge demand for additional commuter services from Newry Train Station.
