Rail line delay 'beggars belief'

Other services could be changed to boost the Larne line

The delay in reopening the Larne to Belfast rail line "beggars belief", according to the Consumer Council.

It had been due to restart next Monday but Translink spokesman Mal McGreevy said "higher than anticipated staff turnover" meant this was not possible.

The company said it hoped to restart the service at the end of January, but other rail lines could be reduced.

The Consumer Council said it was "another blow to its long suffering customers on the line".

Eddie Lynch of the council said: "We met with Translink this week and were assured that the service would begin on Monday as planned. To learn that it is to be delayed again beggars belief.

We find it hard to believe that staffing issues could be the cause for the new timetable to be withdrawn just two days before its introduction Elena Aceves-Cully Larne Line Passenger Group

"As the consumer representative for train passengers, it is utterly unacceptable for Translink not to have told us that the situation had changed."

Mr McGreevy said Translink had "some crewing issues and don't have enough staff to cover the full range of services".

"We are working towards reintroducing the full services from Monday 30th January - to do that, we've got to review the services right across our network," he said.

"It will mean potentially a reduced number of trains in a number of other key areas, like the Bangor and Portadown to Belfast lines.

DUP East Antrim MP Sammy Wilson said it was "clear Translink had made a total mess of the service".

Elena Aceves-Cully, from the Larne Line Passenger Group, said they were disappointed at the news the service was to be delayed.

"We find it hard to believe that staffing issues could be the cause for the new timetable to be withdrawn just two days before its introduction," she said.

The delay means current substitute bus services in place between Larne and Carrickfergus will continue to operate.