Rail travel for Enniskillen commuters looks set to get a boost if new proposals for an expansion get the go-ahead.

Operators Translink have already announced ambitious plans for an extended and expanded rail network across the Province.

Part of this scheme has now been offered-up to Enniskillen rail travellers.

The plans would reopen the Enniskillen to Omagh line, as well as the Derry to Portadown route.

New lines to Armagh, Newry Town and Belfast International Airport would also be introduced.

The submissions have been made to Translink by an independent Dublin-based sustainable transport campaigner, Brian Guckian.

Mr Guckian carries out research and development into sustainable transport in Ireland, and recently worked on the proposed Sligo-Donegal-Derry rail link.

He has described the plans as "audacious yet realistic", and challenged a prevailing "anti-rail mindset" that was incapable of dealing with the economic threats posed by sharply rising oil costs and by climate change.

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Works on the Enniskillen to Omagh route could cost in the region of £111 million and would restore rail access to the region, which has been cut off from the rail network since 1957.

Mr Guckian suggested local people might need convincing of the benefits of an expanded rail network.

"It's time to take on those who are stopping the development of genuine sustainable transport systems in these islands that are energy-efficient, economic, accessible, equitable and genuinely environmentally beneficial," he said.

Mr Guckian hinted that funding for the proposed rail development programme could be sought through re-balancing the current Regional Transportation Strategy 2002-2012.

He has suggested the current plans are based heavily on the side of unsustainable road construction.

Mr Guckian estimated that the road allocation would be cut from £2.18 billion to £1.72 billion in order to pay for the proposed rail expansion.

Despite challenges, Mr Guckian said NI Roads Minister Conor Murphy had warmly greeted his proposals.

A Translink spokesperson said: "Mr Guckian's report has been considered and will be responded to in detail.

"NI Railway have already established an ambitious development plan which has taken the development of NI Railways beyond planning period of the Northern Ireland Regional Transportation strategy 2002- 2012 and we will look forward to securing support for this plan in future."

(PR/JM)