Alex Easton MLA is delighted at confirmation that Translink has commenced a Feasibility Study on a train halt for George Best City Airport.
Speaking today Alex Easton MLA said:
“This has been an issue I have been pushing for years and I am delighted that from a NI Assembly written question that George Best City Airport is being considered by Translink for a station stop at the airport and that Translink has commenced a Feasibility Study.”
”I have been calling on the Minister for Infrastructure and NI Railways since 2014 to seriously look at the creation of a Train Station and halt at the George Best City Airport. The good news in a NI Assembly Question to the Infrastructure Minister she mentions the Strategic Rail Review on 29th November 2021 which will examine how we can connect our rail network to our international gateways through our ports and airports, including Belfast City Airport, the potential for transporting freight using the rail network whilst also considering how we can move to a low or zero emission rail network. In an age where commuters, passengers traveling to airports and business it is criminal that out second busiest local airport does not have the Infrastructure in place with a rail link right to the front of the George Best City Airport.”
“We have a situation of having a train halt hundreds of yards past the airport and the reliance on buses being put in place to ferry passengers to and from the Train halt to the airport. This does not make quick and easy access and does not make economic sense for the long term for such a busy airport not to have the facility for convenience for passengers needing to have quick access to public transport and in particular train transport and it also seriously undermines attempts to attract foreign investment into Northern Ireland for business who want to have quick easy access from the airport.”
“I believe firmly that passenger numbers would also increase using the George Best City Airport if there was a train station halt at the George Best City Airport and it would also see an increase in passenger usage from people living in North Down and Bangor who would have that quickly and access straight to the airport, which is what is needed and wanted. I am pleased the Minister has acknowledged this and now Translink are looking into it with a Feasibility Study.”
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