A planned upgrade to the railway line between Derry city and Coleraine has been confirmed in a letter of offer from the Department for Infrastructure.
The civil engineering work involves renewing the entire track between the Co Derry villages of Castlerock and Eglinton and is pencilled in for completion before 2028.
The news has been welcomed by local politicians, who say the rail upgrade will go "a long way to address regional imbalance" in infrastructure.
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The railway line is notoriously slow and the possibility of an upgrade has been the subject of repeated lobbying attempts from Derry politicians and campaigners stretching back decades.
Right now, the first train that sets off from Derry on a weekday morning is scheduled to leave at 6.12am and isn't due to arrive at Great Victoria Street Train Station in Belfast until 8.26am - a journey of well over two hours.
Travelling by car can, depending on traffic, shave more than hour from the journey.
SDLP MLA Mark H Durkan said: “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 will go a long way to address regional imbalance and better connect communities."
He continued: “Its delivery will not only make it easier for people from Derry to travel to other parts of the North but will have huge benefits in our fight to tackle the climate crisis by making it easier for people to choose to leave their vehicles at home and use public transport. The SDLP continue to work to progress the All-Island Strategic Rail Review and deliver a fit for purpose rail network for a modern society.”
People Before Profit councillor Maeve O'Neill said: "We welcome the funding announcement for the delivery of the Phase 3 upgrade of the Derry to Coleraine rail track. However, we will welcome it more when the work is actually done.
"We commend Into The West and all the rail campaigners who have relentlessly demanded the upgrade be completed."
She added: "Phase 3 was supposed to be completed in 2021. The delay has been disgraceful."
A spokesperson for the Department for Infrastructure said: “Following approval of the outline business case for the Phase 3 Coleraine to Derry Rail project, the Department issued a letter of offer to Translink to take forward this important project for the North West which will help secure this section of the railway for future generations.
"This major civil engineering project involves renewing the entire track bed including ballast and sleepers between Castlerock and Eglington.
"This includes the upgrading of structures to accommodate the track relay, associated drainage works and will allow for speed increases of the line to 90mph where possible, depending on physical infrastructure."
The spokesperson continued: "Translink is now taking forward work to undertake detailed design, procure a contractor, and purchase the required materials. Subject to the approval of a full business case and funding being available in future budgets, construction work on the Phase 3 project is scheduled to be carried out from August 2025 until the end of 2027.”
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