'Long Delayed Phase 3 Rail Upgrade Funding Announcement A Start' - Cllr Maeve O'Neill
'We commend Into The West and all the rail campaigners who have relentlessly demanded the upgrade be completed'
The funding announcement for the delivery of the Phase 3 upgrade of the Derry to Coleraine rail track has been welcomed by Derry City and Strabane District Councillor Maeve O'Neill (People Before Profit).
Cllr O'Neill said: "We welcome the funding announcement for the delivery of the Phase 3 upgrade of the Derry to Coleraine rail track. However, we will welcome it more when the work is actually done.
"We commend Into The West and all the rail campaigners who have relentlessly demanded the upgrade be completed.
"Phase 3 was supposed to be completed in 2021. The delay has been disgraceful. Consecutive Infrastructure Ministers simply didn't make it a priority.
"Former SDLP Infrastructure Minister Nicola Mallon delivered the continued destructive industrial dredging of Lough Neagh, but told Derry we'd once again be at the back of the queue for the rail upgrade. People Before Profit has used our platform in Council to campaign for urgent rail upgrade and extension for Derry and the North West. We can't depend on establishment parties - they have other priorities and won't challenge the status quo. Rail is the future. We need to keep up the pressure North and South for extension of the Derry rail network in all directions."