SDLP Councillor Brian Tierney has welcomed progress on the All Island Strategic Rail Review.
Cllr. Tierney was speaking after SDLP Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon met with Transport Minister Eamon Ryan in Dublin on Tuesday.
They reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing all-island rail following the closure of the consultation phase, with over 7,000 responses received.
Said Cllr Tierney: “Further progress on the All Island Strategic Rail Review will be warmly welcomed by people in Derry and right across the North.
“We all know the difference a modern rail network would make to our people and communities and I’m delighted to see SDLP Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon driving this project forward.
“This review is an extremely exciting project and one that has really captured the imagination of the public.
“This is evidenced in the high volume of responses received.
“Ireland once had a thriving rail network right across the island and there’s no reason we shouldn’t aim to return to that, the benefits are clear.
“Improved rail transport links would facilitate better connectivity between our major towns and cities, increase our tourism operation and make it easier to attract investment.
“This rail review is an example of what we can achieve on an all-island basis when we work together to put people first and deliver on projects that matter to them.
“This would have a significant impact on so many people’s lives.
“I’d like to thank SDLP Minister Mallon for all the work she’s done on this so far to put proper rail provision back on the national agenda.”
