Reopen the railways

[Sportacus]

Just paper talk. We have seen how long even relatively basic infrastructure projects take here so I'm sure most of us will be pushing up daisies before we're on the train to Letterkenny or Clones!

I  tend to agree.  Simpler projects like  a stop at both   BElfast airports and Derry airport  haven't happened even though a  line already runs  alongside  all three.

 So, Expecting  a new line to Derry or Letterkenny is total pie in  the sky IMO

I'd be very confident it'll never see the light of day in my lifetime. They'd rather fiddle with 'public realm' paving in town centres that isn't needed.

[NAG1]

Just paper talk. We have seen how long even relatively basic infrastructure projects take here so I'm sure most of us will be pushing up daisies before we're on the train to Letterkenny or Clones!

I  tend to agree.  Simpler projects like  a stop at both   BElfast airports and Derry airport  haven't happened even though a  line already runs  alongside  all three.

 So, Expecting  a new line to Derry or Letterkenny is total pie in  the sky IMO

I'd be very confident it'll never see the light of day in my lifetime. They'd rather fiddle with 'public realm' paving in town centres that isn't needed.

Simple reason the halt hasn't happened at Belfast International is the amount of revenue generated from car parking. It won't be happening any time soon.

[ONeill]

There's no need for Fermanagh people to be going on trains.

[Milltown Row2]

Just paper talk. We have seen how long even relatively basic infrastructure projects take here so I'm sure most of us will be pushing up daisies before we're on the train to Letterkenny or Clones!

I  tend to agree.  Simpler projects like  a stop at both   BElfast airports and Derry airport  haven't happened even though a  line already runs  alongside  all three.

 So, Expecting  a new line to Derry or Letterkenny is total pie in  the sky IMO

I'd be very confident it'll never see the light of day in my lifetime. They'd rather fiddle with 'public realm' paving in town centres that isn't needed.

Simple reason the halt hasn't happened at Belfast International is the amount of revenue generated from car parking. It won't be happening any time soon.

Was thinking the same, but most airports in the world all have carparks, there is a direct link to Aldergrove by bus as it is to Dublin, and its got a huge expensive carparking facility

Getting a train to Aldergrove would not suit everyone as its limited to railway lines across the north, most people in Belfast will get a lift or get a taxi to it, it's usually country folk that stay in the carpark.

There is a line that is so nearby that its not funny that they don't have a link to it. Be interested to see the local farmers complain so like the debacle of the other road being put back, your right this will be delayed but I don't think that its down to parking

[general_lee]

Just paper talk. We have seen how long even relatively basic infrastructure projects take here so I'm sure most of us will be pushing up daisies before we're on the train to Letterkenny or Clones!

I  tend to agree.  Simpler projects like  a stop at both  BElfast airports and Derry airport  haven't happened even though a  line already runs  alongside  all three.

 So, Expecting  a new line to Derry or Letterkenny is total pie in  the sky IMO

I'd be very confident it'll never see the light of day in my lifetime. They'd rather fiddle with 'public realm' paving in town centres that isn't needed.

Simple reason the halt hasn't happened at Belfast International is the amount of revenue generated from car parking. It won't be happening any time soon.

Luckily for us Belfast International Airport don't set government policy re carbon emissions which includes reducing private car usage.

That said it isn't remotely feasible, the airport itself doesn't carry enough annual passengers to justify it, the rail link itself is a single line route that has been moth-balled for the past 21 years. The money needed to bring it to modern standards would not justify it considering the route itself isn't even direct to Belfast. No one in their right mind is going to use the train to travel to either Lisburn or Antrim to then change onto another train to go to the airport.

Stormont should instead focus more on improving the passenger experience at the International Airport  and attracting more airlines and any funds for railway network should be diverted to connecting Armagh city to Portadown.

[Milltown Row2]

The train looks like it can go to Belfast. Airport, Antrim, Mosely, York Street. Or Airport to Lisburn

[LeoMc]

There's no need for Fermanagh people to be going on trains.

At least Fermanagh ones don't need to wait 30 years to not get rail.

[LeoMc]

Just paper talk. We have seen how long even relatively basic infrastructure projects take here so I'm sure most of us will be pushing up daisies before we're on the train to Letterkenny or Clones!

I  tend to agree.  Simpler projects like  a stop at both  BElfast airports and Derry airport  haven't happened even though a  line already runs  alongside  all three.

 So, Expecting  a new line to Derry or Letterkenny is total pie in  the sky IMO

I'd be very confident it'll never see the light of day in my lifetime. They'd rather fiddle with 'public realm' paving in town centres that isn't needed.

Simple reason the halt hasn't happened at Belfast International is the amount of revenue generated from car parking. It won't be happening any time soon.

Luckily for us Belfast International Airport don't set government policy re carbon emissions which includes reducing private car usage.

That said it isn't remotely feasible, the airport itself doesn't carry enough annual passengers to justify it, the rail link itself is a single line route that has been moth-balled for the past 21 years. The money needed to bring it to modern standards would not justify it considering the route itself isn't even direct to Belfast. No one in their right mind is going to use the train to travel to either Lisburn or Antrim to then change onto another train to go to the airport.

Stormont should instead focus more on improving the passenger experience at the International Airport  and attracting more airlines and any funds for railway network should be diverted to connecting Armagh city to Portadown.

The Circle line, running the trains in a loop so direct services from Belfast Lisburn and Antrim?

[Dougal Maguire]

Just paper talk. We have seen how long even relatively basic infrastructure projects take here so I'm sure most of us will be pushing up daisies before we're on the train to Letterkenny or Clones!

I'm not so sure. I'd agree that some of the stuff will be long term but look at the speed with which the motorway network in the south was constructed.

[RadioGAAGAA]

Just paper talk. We have seen how long even relatively basic infrastructure projects take here so I'm sure most of us will be pushing up daisies before we're on the train to Letterkenny or Clones!

I'm not so sure. I'd agree that some of the stuff will be long term but look at the speed with which the motorway network in the south was constructed.

Ye thinking there will be a United Ireland and the farce that is Stormont done away with so compulsory purchases etc will be done quicker out of the Dail?

Could be a faster route to the infrastructure improvements all right!

[seafoid]

Just paper talk. We have seen how long even relatively basic infrastructure projects take here so I'm sure most of us will be pushing up daisies before we're on the train to Letterkenny or Clones!

I'm not so sure. I'd agree that some of the stuff will be long term but look at the speed with which the motorway network in the south was constructed.

The age of motorways will end given climate targets. Railways will return and crossborder will benefit.

[RadioGAAGAA]

The age of motorways will end given climate targets. Railways will return and crossborder will benefit.

You smoking some good stuff there all right!

Motorways are here to stay. People simply won't forego the convenience versus traveling to a train station, parking up, getting a train then having to find another means of travelling from destination station to wherever they actually want to go to.

[seafoid]

The age of motorways will end given climate targets. Railways will return and crossborder will benefit.

You smoking some good stuff there all right!

Motorways are here to stay. People simply won't forego the convenience versus traveling to a train station, parking up, getting a train then having to find another means of travelling from destination station to wherever they actually want to go to.

How much is a packet of fags now? Cars can be taxed  the same.

[seafoid]

The cost of keeping temperature rises within 1.5 degrees by 2050 will be something like $9 trillion.  Life will be very different when emissions are the focus.

[Eamonnca1]

There's no need for Fermanagh people to be going on trains.

Then why so many cars on the roads in Fermanagh?