A Dublin-based sustainable transport campaigner has approached Northern Ireland's public transport provider, Translink, with a £460m plan to enhance and expand the Province's rail network.

The ambitious submission, by the independent organisation, includes the reopening of a line between Derry and Portadown, in a two-phase programme.

The research was undertaken by Brian Guckian, who recently carried out a similar study into sustainable transport in the Republic, has been described as "audacious yet realistic".

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Mr Guckian was the driving force behind the proposed Sligo-Donegal-Derry rail link.

Proposals for Northern Ireland include re-establishing rail links to Enniskillen, Omagh, Strabane and Dungannon.

It is suggested this could be achieved by re-opening the former Portadown-Derry line in two phases.

Estimated costs, for the first phase of such a project, have been set at around £146m. This part of the scheme would comprise Omagh-Strabane and Portadown-Dungannon. It is suggested this would service commuters and local traffic.

The second phase of this project would cost £227 million, and would connect Enniskillen to Omagh and Dungannon to Omagh.

The department of Regional Development received plans for the Strabane-Derry section in 2004. The proposal, referred to as NW Rail, also discussed a cross border link to Letterkenny and Donegal.

(PR/JM)