Hopes for Antrim railway line to get back on track

TRANSLINK wants to assess the possibility of reopening a closed railway line between Antrim and Lisburn via Belfast International Airport, as insiders say that the closure is costing £2,000 a week.

The Knockmore line, which once passed through Crumlin, Glenavy and Ballinderry and runs parallel to the Dublin Road in Antrim, closed in 2003.

Translink said it is now seeking funding for a feasibility study on reconnecting the route.

The cost of a feasibility study or how much funding would be needed to reopen the line is not yet known.

“The study will consider the passenger demand and operational model for the line,” Translink said.

It will also include the possibility of ‘a potential connection to Belfast International Airport’.

Andrew McDonald from Fund the NINE railway campaign group said that it was ‘the best news we could possibly hope for’.

“Glenavy has doubled in size, all the communities there have increased in population, but the public transport networks haven’t,” Mr McDonald said.

“The rail line is there, the tracks are there, it's just a matter of putting in the work to reopen it,” he added.

Rail campaigner Aaron Vennard said he believes reopening the line would be a positive step, but on its own is ‘not ambitious enough’, calling for the track to be dualled and connected as part of a ‘circle line’ around commuter areas in greater Belfast.

“I would obviously like to see the Knockmore line opened, it's a key component to the circle line,” Mr Vennard said.

“But if it is just to be another hourly service, it would fall short of what I would like to see,” he said.

He said reopening the line and another line between Antrim and Whiteabbey could enable regular train journeys.

“This would give people who live along the track the potential to move away from the burdens of car ownership,” he said.

Mr Vennard also said it would give people the ability to take a train with such a frequency that they would not have to check the timetable.

A Translink spokesperson says the study will also look at the feasibility of a potential connection to Belfast International Airport

Ulster Unionist rep Paul Michael said: “I welcome news that Translink is looking at reopening Knockmore line and considering the possibility of a link to Belfast International Airport, this is most welcome news and something I have called for, for some years.”

Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney has said reopening the Knockmore Line would help improve access and unlock economic potential for South Antrim.

“I am very pleased that Translink has decided to progress a feasibility study into reopening the Knockmore line, including the possibility of a potential connection to Belfast International Airport.” he said.

“Reopening Knockmore Line is a key transport and economic priority for the local area, and wider South Antrim constituency.

“This proposal has wider regional and national importance, as reflected in my submission to the all-island rail review which supported the reopening of the line.

“Our public transport network needs investment to improve connections and to tackle the climate emergency. For these reasons I warmly welcome this decision to assess the potential for opening up the Knockmore rail line.”