Calls have been made to prioritise the Londonderry rail link following an announcement that the upgrade plans will be halted until 2014.

Chairman of the Londonderry’s City of Culture Company wants the executive to reconsider their plans to postpone the development and make the rail link a priority.

According a report by the BBC the Chairman, Martin Bradley, has written to members of the executive urging them to back an emergency motion.

He told the BBC: "This is a key infrastructural piece for the city.”

He warned the city would struggle with the influx of visitors in 2013 when it becomes UK City of Culture.

"Those visitors will want to go and see the new facility at Giant's Causeway and go and see the new Titanic Quarter, so this is not just about what's best for the north west.

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"This is what's best for Northern Ireland," he added.

Mr Bradley’s appeal comes after an announcement that the upgrade to the important Northern Ireland railway line will not be completed before the anticipated date of 2013.

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.

But last week 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."

(LB/BMcC)