SDLP Fairer Infrastructure spokesperson Mark H Durkan has criticised Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd around funding for the Phase 3 Derry to Coleraine rail project.
In February 2024, during an Assembly motion on the All-Island Strategic Rail Review, tabled by Mr Durkan, Minister O’Dowd confirmed his department had given £97m to Translink to bring the project to completion.
It has since come to light, via Assembly Question, that just £4.7m has been ring-fenced for the Phase 3 project in 2024/25.
Foyle MLA, Mr Durkan commented: “I’m disappointed but not surprised by the political duplicity around funding for this critical rail upgrade for the North West.
“Sadly, Sinn Féin double-speak is nothing new, but raising hopes on such a transformational and long overdue project is completely unacceptable.
“In recent weeks, Sinn Féin elected representatives have been claiming and celebrating the delivery of £97.7m for the Phase 3 Derry to Coleraine rail upgrade.
“Yet by a mere scratch of the surface the façade quickly falls apart.
“The reality is that just 5% of the promised investment will be delivered this year.
“Furthermore, this project was supposed to be completed by 2027, yet this response states that construction work won’t begin until May 2027. What has changed in a matter of weeks?
“The Minister has been notably quiet on the new and delayed timeframe.
“This purposeful misdirection undermines public trust. Transparent communication from our leaders is a bare minimum ask but our current leadership’s track record on putting people before political games hasn’t been the greatest.
“Derry has been kept isolated by subpar infrastructure and no deeper is the East-West divide felt than in relation to transport.
“This rail upgrade would go a long way to address regional imbalance and better connect communities; further delays in its delivery are unforgivable.
“It took an SDLP Minister to put this project back on track but Sinn Féin Ministers seem bent on derailing its progress.”
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