‘No detail on Newry rail proposals deeply concerning’ – McNulty
SDLP MLA for Newry and Armagh Justin McNulty has claimed that Chis Hazzard’s announcement that he has ordered Translink to improve rail services between Newry and Belfast is a ‘vague pre-election stunt’ and that the Ministers statement lacks real detail.
Speaking to Newry Times, McNulty said, “Friday’s move by the Minister is a welcome first step, but in fairness I have raised the diabolical services between Newry and Belfast/Dublin with him on no less than seventeen separate occasions by Assembly Questions in the last six months, that’s not to mention at the Infrastructure Committee and on the floor of the Assembly.
“In addition to this there have been a number of petitions and campaigns launched locally with the sole aim of forcing the Minister to act. What concerns me the most that at the same time as making this vague announcement for Newry, with no detail on what additional services he has in mind for Newry the Minister was able to announce an hourly service between Belfast and Derry.
Article continues below:
“This to me appears to be a bit of smoke and mirrors and the lack of detail is staggering. The people of Newry, South Armagh and South Down deserve better,” the local MLA insisted.
“I cannot remember the last time an evening train from Dublin actually got into Newry on time it’s that bad. At a time when we see the UK Government announce £56 billion in HS2: North West and Yorkshire rail service I want to know exactly what Chris Hazzard has planned for the Belfast – Dublin rail service.
He added, “This Executive has failed to prioritise rail investment, it has withdrawn services from Newry and its time they listened to the concerns and demands of the people of this area for a viable rail service from Newry to both Belfast and Dublin.”
Improved rail services to Newry announced
Short URL: https://newrytimes.com/?p=59063