The Queen unveiling the plaque at Bellarena platform in Co Derry
MYSTERY surrounds the removal “within 24 hours” of a plaque unveiled by the Queen at a new Co Derry railway platform.
Twwo new railway platforms opened in Bellarena, as part of a £46 million upgrade to the Derry to Coleraine railway line.
In June, the Queen and Prince Philip travelled to the village by steam train to unveil the new plaque.
Sinn Fein Infrastructure Minister Chris Hazzard said it was removed because of “vandalism fears”.
The response came to a Stormont Assembly question by the People before Profit MLA Eamonn McCann.
Mr McCann asked the Minister for Infrastructure why the plaque was removed within 24 hours of the Queen’s visit.
“Translink has advised that, because the halt at Bellarena is unmanned, it was concerned about the safety of the plaque and the possibility that it could be vandalised,” replied Mr Chris Hazzard.
“Translink is currently looking at options to minimise this risk.”
A spokesperson for Translink said: “We are currently considering the best way to mount the plaque at Bellarena Station within the context of the simple layout of the halt and its dramatic setting.”