Northern Ireland Infrastructure Minister and Ireland's Minister for
Transport Darragh O'Brien and Minister of State with
responsibility for the implementation of the All-Island Strategic
Rail Review, Seán Canney, have all welcomed the publication today
of the Rail Project Prioritisation Strategy for the island.
Assisted by the European Investment Bank (EIB), the Rail Project
Prioritisation Strategy is being published today by the
Department of Transport and Department for Infrastructure. The
Strategy outlines how to best sequence and optimise the
recommendations of the All-Island Strategic Rail Review, which
was launched following public consultation in July 2024.
The Strategy specifies short-term rail infrastructure
investments, referred to as Early Interventions, to be delivered
in the coming years. These include a series of new track passing
loops and platforms to boost the rail network's resilience and
capacity. Work on these projects in Ireland will start next year,
for full delivery by 2030.
The Strategy also identifies Major Projects to be progressed for
the longer-run, involving intercity electrification and
significant capacity upgrades on the rail network. These Major
Projects include “FourNorth”, to add track capacity on the busy
Northern line north of Connolly station; electrification and line
speed improvements on the Dublin-Cork and Dublin-Belfast routes;
and new/reinstated lines such as Portadown to Derry~Londonderry
and Letterkenny.
Minister Kimmins said: “This is the next step
in progressing the implementation of the All-island Rail Review.
I believe the transformation of our rail network will help
address regional imbalance and encourage a shift towards greater
use of sustainable transport. This includes important
projects including Portadown to Derry, Portadown to Armagh and
Lisburn to Antrim. The publication of this Rail Project
Prioritisation Strategy provides a way forward for connecting
communities who have been without rail, particularly in the
northwest, alongside increasing frequency and improving services
for those along existing lines. This will help strengthen
economic and social ties across the island."
Minister O'Brien said: “I welcome the publication of this
Strategy which provides a way forward for faster rail services,
improved frequency, and greater accessibility and connectivity
across this island. I look forward to implementation of the rail
projects in the years ahead.”
Minister Canney said: “The implementation of the All-Island
Strategic Rail Review is a priority for me. In particular, I am
delighted that this Strategy highlights rail enhancements for
delivery over the next few years, involving a new station
platform at Limerick Junction, additional platforms at Woodlawn
and Clara on the Galway line and at Sligo and Enfield on the
Sligo line, as well as new track passing loops on the Limerick to
Waterford line, the Sligo line, the Westport/Ballina route and
Dublin to Belfast line. These projects will help to enhance
capacity, frequency and reliability quickly. I am also happy that
the Strategy includes the construction of the Western Rail
Corridor from Athenry to Claremorris, on which some preliminary
clearing works have already commenced.”
Irish Government funding for the Early Interventions will be
provided under the National Development Plan Transport Sectoral
Implementation Plan for 2026 to 2030, published in November.
Overall, the Strategy outlines the rail frequency, journey time
and sustainability benefits that will be delivered by the various
projects included within it. The Department of Transport and the
Department for Infrastructure will continue to work together as
appropriate to advance these projects and support their delivery,
in the public interest.
Notes to Editors:
1. The Rail Project Prioritisation Strategy is available
here: https://www.infrastructure-ni.gov.uk/publications/rail-project-prioritisation-strategy-2025
2. The Rail Project Prioritisation Strategy was developed by the
Department of Transport in Ireland and Department for
Infrastructure in Northern Ireland, with support from the
European Investment Bank (EIB), in conjunction with the National
Transport Authority (NTA) and the two rail companies on the
island, Iarnród Éireann and Translink.
3. The Rail Project Prioritisation Strategy has been approved by
Ireland's Minister for Transport, Darragh O'Brien, and Minister
of State with responsibility for International and Road
Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports, Seán Canney, and Minister
for Infrastructure, .
4. The All-Island Strategic Rail Review is available to read
here: https://www.infrastructure-ni.gov.uk/publications/all-island-strategic-rail-review
