SDLP Limavady Councillor Orla Beattie has said the recent announcement that the Department of Agriculture is to transfer its administration headquarters to the former Shackleton Army Barracks at Ballykelly makes it inevitable that there is a new railway halt established to facilitate civil servants transferring to the new site.

Ms Beattie has the support of her Assembly colleague John Dallat to drive the issue forward at Assembly level.

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She said: "The railway between Derry and Coleraine is currently closed for upgrading and will remain so until March of next year when an hourly service has been promised by Translink. This surely is the time to install a new halt to facilitate many of the 800 who we expect to work in the new headquarters.

"The railway passes through this vast complex so there can be no argument that it isn't a viable proposition. Not only would such a facility be of benefit to the Department of Agriculture staff but would greatly enhance the complex for other interested groups considering transferring to Ballykelly."

(CD)