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Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins has welcomed a €230million investment in rail infrastructure from the Shared Island Fund which will see hourly train services continuing from Newry and track renewal on the line between Belfast and Dublin.
The funding will see approximately €100million for track renewal on the Belfast-Dublin and Belfast-Derry and lines, €93million for the DART+ coastal north project, and €34.5million for the continuation of the hourly Enterprise service.
Welcoming the announcement by the Taoiseach, Micheal Martin, Minister Kimmins said: "This is superb news for the future of rail on this island particularly so for the Derry to Belfast and Belfast to Dublin routes. The investment in rail, through the Shared Island Fund, will accelerate improvements on the Derry-Belfast and Belfast-Dublin lines, strengthening regional balance and connectivity. This investment will pave the way for faster journeys and greater reliability for services between Dublin, Belfast and the North-West, delivering a more cohesive rail network, connecting communities and boosting the thriving all-island economy."
She added that the announcement follows the €700million investment announced last month by the Irish Government, her Department and the PEACEPLUS programme for new trains on the Belfast to Dublin route, bringing the total rail investment to almost one billion euros, connecting communities right across the island.
