An upgrade to an important Northern Ireland railway line will not be completed before the anticipated date of 2013, it has been confirmed.

It is understood that the proposed work on the Coleraine to Londonderry railway line will not be undertaken due to a lack of funding.

In August, the Stormont Transport Minister, Danny Kennedy announced that a planned upgrade would be delayed due to a lack of funding. The full upgrade would cost £75m.

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But yesterday Translink's General Manager of Rail Services Mal McGreevy confirmed that even if the money was available, the 2013 deadline could not be met.

Mr McGreevy also ruled out a new train halt at Derry City Airport.

Minister Kenny commented: "Prior to the budget, Translink had planned to start this major £75 million project in 2012.

"However, as a result of the budget and to avoid disruption to Londonderry's UK City of Culture Year in 2013, it is currently intended that the start will be deferred until 2014.

"There has been funding of £20 million allocated to the 2014/15 budget to allow the project to start at that time."

Yet the announcement of the delay has prompted concerns over the whole future of the service and the potential impact on Derry's year as UK City of Culture.

(LB/BMcC)