East Derry SDLP Regional Development spokesperson John Dallat has described as “devastating” an announcement by Transport Minister Danny Kennedy that the contract for phase two of the upgrade of the Derry-Coleraine section of the Belfast-Derry railway will have to go out for re-tendering because the current prices were too high.
The potential cost of work to install new signalling and create a “passing loop” for trains was originally estimated at £20 million but has now risen to an estimated £40m.
Mr Dallat said the announcement was “another slap in the face” for the North West which had suffered “so many setbacks” in the development of road and rail transport infrastructure.
He added: “This announcement is particularly frustrating that it is the second time this contract has been botched by Translink who are clearly not fit to lead a proposal to develop the infrastructure for an intercity rail service.
“I fully understand the frustration of the Minister who rescued this line from possible closure after the previous minister Conor Murphy left the coffers empty.
“However, the buck lies with Mr Kennedy and he must take ultimate responsibility for the actions and ineptitudes of the non-governmental bodies he is answerable for.
“I welcome the fact that there appears to be an element of urgency in the Minister’s statement and I sincerely hope this will be matched by action to redeem a situation which is a major setback in a process that promised an hourly service between Belfast and Derry.
“The Minister needs to seriously consider if Translink has the expertise or the commitment to be handling tendering processes of this nature.
“The thought has occurred to me that inter-city services should be the responsibility of all-island body capable of avoiding the kind of blunders we have now experienced twice in the last three years on the Derry-Belfast railway line.”
Mr Dallat concluded: “The setback clearly puts a focus on the board of Translink and begs the question: ‘Who are these people, how were they appointed and what are their qualifications for ensuring that there is a first-class rail service between our two principal cities’?”
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