Alliance welcomes good news on rail network

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 1st Apr 2004

ALLIANCE Spokesperson on Regional Development, Councillor Naomi Long MLA, has welcomed a new report that says Northern Ireland's railway network could be expanded for just a few million pounds each year.

Cllr Long stated:

"This report is an encouragement for those who believe that our rail network has a vital role to play in Northern Ireland's future, and it lays to rest the notion that the network is unviable.

"Alliance has long argued for more resources to be dedicated to expanding rail services, as pressure on our roads continues to grow. Hopefully, the conclusions of the report will help convince the Government that NIR is worthy of more appropriate levels of funding.

"Our concern over the Belfast to Derry line remains, as it has tremendous potential for tourism and is heavily used by students. However, it is clear from the report that the entire network could be vastly improved relatively inexpensively, and that is something the Government needs to seriously take on board."