Press Release: Larne to Carrick Rail Line to reopen 9th January
Larne to Carrick Rail Line to reopen 9th January
12 December 2005
NI Railways has advised passengers that the Larne Railway Line will reopen between Carrickfergus and Larne on Monday 9th January 2006.
With major engineering work to relay the Larne Line continuing on schedule, it is expected that Phase 3 of the project will be completed by the end of the year on time and on budget.
Translink’s General Manager , Rail Services, Mal McGreevy said that during the initial settling period additional safety precautions would be implemented.
“Safety, as ever, is our top priority. The new track will take some weeks to settle into the new ballast and during this time we will need to impose a number of speed restrictions on the Carrick to Larne section of the track in order to ensure safe passage. It will therefore be necessary to operate a temporary rail timetable during this ‘bedding in’ period which will see one through service in the morning peak from Larne to Belfast, (Great Victoria Street), and two through services from Belfast, (Great Victoria Street), to Larne during the evening peak. A shuttle rail service will operate throughout the day between Larne and Carrickfergus to connect with selected Carrickfergus to Belfast services,” he explained.
“We plan to resume a full rail service along the entire Belfast to Larne Line in March”, he continued.
These temporary timetables – as well as a new timetable for the entire rail network – will be available from main stations from Wednesday 21st December. Details can also be obtained by contacting Translink’s call centre on 028 9066 6630 or logging on to the website www.translink.co.uk.
While standard fares will resume for all rail journeys to or from stations on the Larne Line, a 10% discount will still be available for weekly and monthly season ticket holders.
Mr McGreevy also reminded passengers that in accordance with safety procedures and in preparation for the return of scheduled passenger services driver route training would take place from mid-December.
“In addition to timetabled services between Carrickfergus and Belfast as part of the driver training process, trains will operate between Larne and Belfast everyday between 6am and 11pm, excluding Christmas Day and Boxing Day. However, occasionally some services will operate outside these times.
“We are appealing particularly to parents, teachers and other youth and community leaders to help us impress upon young people the dangers of playing on or near railway lines, halts and level crossings. In particular we wish to inform and remind all passengers and other members of the public to exercise care and attention when using the footpath crossing located adjacent to the railway platforms in Whitehead. Both railway platforms will be in full operational use and all safety signals and instructions must be followed.
“As part of our campaign to increase awareness of developments with the Larne Line Relay project we are issuing safety leaflets and posters to all main stations on the Larne Line as well as to schools, libraries and other key outlets in the local area,” Mr McGreevy concluded.
Ends.
For further information please contact Keelin Haughey at Morrow Communications on 028 9039 3837 or email k.haughey@morrowcommunications.com
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