Transport Minister Danny Kennedy has secured European Regional Development funding of £2.44million towards the £3.6million cost of the redevelopment of Portadown Railway station.

The Minister made the announcement today while visiting the station accompanied by Pat Colgan, Chief Executive of the Special European Union Programme Body (SEUPB) who supported the application, and Translink Chief Executive Catherine Mason.

Mr Kennedy said: "This successful funding bid recognises our efforts in promoting greater cross border travel cohesion and our drive to improve the rail network infrastructure in Northern Ireland."

The award comes from the INTERREG IV Programme and provides funding towards the alterations, extension and refurbishment of the existing railway station. The balance of the funding will be met by the Department for Regional Development.

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The Minister continued: "One of my key objectives in investing in public transport is to encourage commuters and other travellers to consider using public transport for their journeys as a credible alternative to the private car, and to travel more sustainably.

"With annual footfall at Portadown Station now approaching 900,000 making it the fifth busiest station on the rail network, this improvement programme will benefit Northern Ireland and cross border passengers."

Catherine Mason, Group Chief Executive for Translink said: "We are transforming this station into a modern, high quality facility for both our customers and employees. The contemporary design is in keeping with the recent public realm enhancements made to revitalise the town centre and we are already starting to get positive customer feedback regarding the new lifts, airbridge and the station frontage which is becoming a new landmark feature for the town.

"Our project team are working hard to ensure the work continues to progress on schedule. With real time information already available on journey checker and our new train timetable being introduced from 6th January next year, together with our new trains and range of value for money tickets for both commuters and leisure travellers, we hope even more people will choose to use the train for journeys both to and from Portadown.

"We are very grateful for the funding from the DRD and the European Union, INTERREG IV Programme to deliver this important project."

(CD)