SDLP Spokesperson on Regional Development John Dallat MLA has described an announcement by Translink that there will be another 4 months delay in upgrading the Derry-Belfast Railway another unsurprising disappointment.
He said: “This really is becoming a comedy of mismanagement by Translink who clearly lack the expertise and experience to oversee even minor upgrades of its railway system.
“In these circumstances it would be best if the management of the railway system was separated from the operational day-to-day running and taken over by a separate entity operating on an all-island basis.
“The catalogue of setbacks in the process to bring about a first-class intercity service is no joke and these consistent failures reflect poorly on us as a society.
‘The continuing setbacks in the North West in relation to roads and railway improvements is very serious and raises further questions which the Minister Danny Kennedy should be concerned about if he is to demonstrate that he is successfully making capital investments in transport infrastructure to address the historical neglect of the past.
“I will ensure that this issue is raised at a meeting of the Regional Development Committee on Wednesday when Translink officials are present to answer questions on a number of issues including the future of public transport. They have a lot to answer for”
