Translink has announced details of essential engineering works on its railway network later this month. The works on the Larne and Derry railway lines on Saturday, March 29 and Sunday, March 30.
The company says these infrastructure upgrades are important to maintain safe and reliable services for a quality passenger experience and keep the rail network fit for the future.
Rail substitution bus services will operate on both lines over the weekend. Valid rail tickets will also be valid on appropriate scheduled bus services. Translink says the Bangor, Portadown and cross border lines will not be impacted.
Passengers are being advised to plan ahead, check timetables, and allow extra time to complete their journeys.
The works will involve:
The Larne line will close with rail replacement buses operating between Larne and Belfast Grand Central Station Bus substitution services will operate between: Larne Harbour, Larne, Whitehead, Carrickfergus, York Street & Belfast Grand Central Station The Derry~Londonderry line will close between Belfast Grand Central Station and Derry~Londonderry Rail replacement bus substitution services will operate between Derry~Londonderry and Coleraine serving Bellarena and Castlerock Coleraine and Belfast Grand Central Station via York Street Station Coleraine and Portrush Coleraine and Ballymena via Ballymoney Train Station Ballymena and Cullybackey Ballymena and Belfast Grand Central Station via Antrim Bus and Rail Station and York Street Train Station Ballymena and Mossley West via Antrim Bus and Rail Station A Rail replacement bus substitution service will operate between: Mossley West, Antrim & Ballymena. Passengers for Belfast should use Metro Services 1d / 1k All other halts will be served by the nearest main road bus stop The Bangor line will continue to operate as per the normal timetable. Portadown Line / Cross Border services will continue to operate as per the normal timetable. Passengers with valid rail tickets will also be able to travel on scheduled Ulsterbus services 218 operating between Ballymena/Antrim and Belfast, in addition to the 212 service between Derry~Londonderry and Belfast during the closure period.John Glass, Head of Infrastructure and Projects at Translink, said: "This work is part of our continuous improvement programme, crucial for the long-term efficiency and sustainability of the network.
“Over the weekend, our engineers will be working across multiple worksites along both lines to deliver safety enhancements, upgrades to signalling systems, ongoing track and station maintenance work, and other essential programs designed to modernise the rail network.
“Once complete these important upgrades and renewals will mean better journeys for the many passengers who travel on these busy routes.
“We’ve worked hard to find the least disruptive window to deliver these vital works and ensure they are completed in the most efficient and cost-effective way; however we understand this closure will cause some temporary disruption, and we apologise and thank passengers and local neighbours for their patience and understanding while this work is carried out.
“We would ask passengers planning to travel, please plan ahead, download and check the journey planner app, Translink NI, visit www.translink.co.uk, or call the Translink contact centre on 02890 66 66 30 to get all the information about these service changes,” he concluded
Passengers and residents wanting further details on these works can visit: www.translink.co.uk/lineimprovements.
For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.
English (United States) ·