Passengers travelling by train on Halloween weekend are being advised to plan ahead due to major engineering works across the Translink rail network.
Translink is set to carry out essential engineering works across the rail network from Saturday 29th October until Monday 31st October 2022 inclusively and on Sunday 6 th November.
There was widespread outrage from many elected representatives in the North West when the planned works looked set to impact those travelling to Derry for the annual Halloween festivities, but Translink has since revised its plans for that area.
Read more: Derry rail line disruption over Halloween weekend scaled back by Translink
Over the Halloween weekend, much of the work will be focused in the Belfast area which will mean all Larne line and Derry~Londonderry line services will operate from Yorkgate Station in Belfast.
There will also be works on the cross-border route impacting Enterprise services. All cross-border Enterprise services will be operated using bus substitutions from Lanyon Place, Portadown and Newry train stations.
To facilitate the works there will be bus substitutions in place with some minor alterations to the timetable over the weekend. A Saturday timetable will also be in place for all train services on Monday 31 October.
On Sunday 6th November, there will be works in the Antrim area which will impact on the Derry~Londonderry Line with bus substitution services operating between Antrim and Great Victoria Street.
Translink’s Ian Campbell, Director of Service Operations said: “These works are vital to protect and modernise our infrastructure to maintain high quality, safe, and attractive rail services for today and for future generations.
“While the vast majority of project works are usually undertaken at night, some circumstances require longer periods of closures. We have carefully timed these works to coincide with the mid-term school holidays, when less passengers are travelling to minimise overall impact.
“To facilitate the Halloween festivities in Derry~Londonderry, the line between Belfast and Derry~Londonderry will remain open throughout the Halloween weekend with works on this line scheduled for 6th November.
“Our engineers are capitalising on the operational arrangements to deliver a number of projects including aligning with engineering works planned by Irish Rail in the south.
“I would like to thank all our passengers for their support and patience as we progress these essential works to upgrade the network”
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