Essential engineering work is set to close Translink's Portadown train line for two weekends in April, including Easter.
There will be a line closure between Belfast Great Victoria Street and Portadown stations on April 8 and 9 and 22 and 23 to facilitate the works.
Over these two weekends there will be bus substitution services in place for local rail and cross-border Enterprise services.
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To maximise the closure period, works will take place at multiple sites. The main work will see the start of a major signalling upgrade at Lisburn, but during the closure there will also be some works in the Belfast area for the new Belfast Grand Central Station Works. Adelaide and Finaghy platforms and tunnel repairs will be completed during the closure also.
Enterprise services will operate as normal between Portadown and Dublin Connolly, with bus substitutions in place between Belfast Lanyon Place and Newry. An express coach service will run from between Newry and Belfast Lanyon Place.
Normal rail services will operate between Belfast and Bangor. Train tickets will also be valid for use on appropriate Ulsterbus and Metro scheduled services.
Translink’s John Glass, Director of Infrastructure and Projects said: "We are committed to investing, upgrading and enhancing the rail network, with major projects progressing significantly over recent years. These projects are vital to protect and modernise our infrastructure to maintain high quality, safe, and attractive rail services for everyone.
"While the vast majority of the project works are usually undertaken at night, these line closures are essential to complete the work efficiently and safely. They will also enable us to reduce any long term passenger disruption.
"We have carefully planned theses closures to minimise the overall impact on the majority of our passengers.
"We will be hosting a public information day on the Lisburn Area Renewals Works on Tuesday 28 March in the Bridge Community Centre, for residents and the wider public to find out more about the local project and travel arrangements.
"I would like to thank all our passengers and local neighbours for their support and patience as we progress these essential works."
Translink is urging passengers to plan ahead and check timetables before they travel as minor alterations to services may have been made to accommodate bus substitutions.
Portadown line
Saturday April 8 and Sunday April 9 , Saturday April 22 and Sunday April 23
- Line closure between Belfast Great Victoria Street and Portadown
- Bus substitution will operate between Belfast Great Victoria Street and Portadown, servicing Adelaide, Balmoral, Finaghy, Dunmurry, Derriaghy, Lambeg, Hilden, Moira and Lurgan.
- Bus substitutions will operate from main road bus stops.
- Poyntzpass a bus substitution will depart Church Street - Saturdays only
- Scarva a bus substitution will depart Station road – Saturdays only
- Please check before you travel as bus substitution times may differ from usual scheduled rail departure times.
- NI Railways tickets will also be valid for use on Ulsterbus and Metro scheduled services.
- Normal services between Belfast and Bangor
Enterprise
Saturday April 8 and Sunday April 9 , Saturday April 22 and Sunday April 23
- Enterprise services will operate as normal between Portadown and Dublin Connolly.
- Bus substitution services will operate from Belfast Lanyon Place to Newry
- Passengers should expect delays of up to 30 minutes on arrival times at Belfast Lanyon Place.
- We would advise passengers with accessibility requirements to contact us at least 24 hours in advance of travel so that we can try to ensure the bus substitution service can best accommodate your needs.
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