An SDLP Member of the Regional Development Committee has been told that Translink intend to hold a public consultation event in Derry so that suitable steps can be taken to protect any identified preferred site for a new railway station.

John Dallat tabled a written question to the Minister Danny Kennedy has asked for a detailed timescale for the provision of a new railway station but has been told there is no funding in the capital programme for such a project.

He said: "The capital programme has been cobbled together for the next three years so the prospects of Derry getting a decent railway station are not good unless new funding is sourced to enable our second city to enhance its rail link with Belfast and the rest of the country.

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"To be honest Berlin had its rail links with the East restored within a short time of the wall coming down. We are now 14 years into the Good Friday Agreement and still we have not tackled the basic transport infrastructures that were fractured by partition and deliberately run down by the old Unionist regime.

"To be fair to Mr Kennedy he did find £20 million pounds to keep the track running safely between Derry Coleraine and that work will begin in July with the line reopening in March in time for most of the activities relating to the Year of Culture.

"However there is still a reluctance to accept the neglect of the past and begin the process of developing a proper intercity service which is fast, safe and attractive enough to encourage people off the roads and onto the trains.

"This service is not just about Derry but all the other towns in between and there is unanimous support for investment in a new permanent way which will facilitate the modern trains which are now operated by Translink."

(CD)