MP to raise railway concerns

The future of the Larne to Belfast link has been in doubt

The future of the Larne to Belfast rail link is to be raised in the European Union by East Antrim MP Roy Beggs.

The Ulster Unionist MP said he believed Northern Ireland Railways was neglecting the line, with a view to eventually closing it altogether.

Mr Beggs, who is travelling to Strasbourg on Tuesday with Jim Nicholson MEP, is due to present his case to the European Commissioner for Transport, Loyola De Palacio.

"With the rail link from Larne to Belfast forming part of a designated trans-European transport network, the issue of the future of the line is one of European importance," he said.

"That is why I have sought this meeting with the European Transport Commissioner.

"Mrs De Palacio is on record as being a promoter of rail as a transport option."

Mr Beggs is seeking extra investment for the rail link

Mr Beggs said recent parliamentary questions had revealed that investment in NIR had been concentrated on the core network, which excludes the route north of Whitehead to the port of Larne.

"Local opinion in my East Antrim constituency suspects that lack of investment in the railway north of Whitehead may be a deliberate policy of neglect to reduce the viability of the service, and to facilitate the closure of part of the Larne line," he said.

"That would be a disastrous and short sighted decision.

"Therefore, as MP I am leaving no stone unturned in pursuing extra investment for the Larne to Belfast rail link.

"As UK taxpayers we are net contributors to the European Union, so I make no apologies for appealing directly to the EU for assistance in this matter."