Portadown to Armagh railway line reopening 'feasible', study says

Northern Ireland's railways are mostly concentrated to the east of the River Bann

Reopening a railway line between Portadown and Armagh is "operationally feasible, technically deliverable and would promote sustainable travel", a study has concluded.

The assessment was funded by Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Council and the Department for Infrastructure (DfI).

Campaigners had previously described the proposal as a "no-brainer".

The Armagh to Portadown line closed in 1957.

The All-Island Strategic Rail Review had also recommended the reopening of the line as part of cross-border connectivity.

The council-commissioned study looked at the need and demand for rail services, land requirements, an economic appraisal, technical feasibility, impact on the operational rail network, stakeholder engagement, future strategy and funding options.

The lord mayor, Margaret Tinsley, said the lack of a rail connection for Armagh was "hindering" the city reaching its full potential.

"Restoring the Portadown to Armagh line will provide a higher quality, sustainable, low carbon and climate resilient public transport network that connects the city to Belfast and beyond," she said.

"It will cater for an increase in demand from the borough's rapidly growing population, help connect communities and improve accessibility to jobs, homes, education, and social and economic opportunities."

She added that the council was "keen to work" with the DfI and Translink to "further develop the proposals".

Campaigners say much of the rail route between Portadown and Armagh remains intact

The study estimated that a re-established line would reduce journey times from Armagh to both Portadown and Belfast and would attract 670,000 journeys a year.

The director of public transport policy and climate change at DfI welcomed the study's findings.

"This provides further evidence and information that will assist in the prioritisation of recommendations outlined in the All-Island Strategic Rail Review once the responses to the consultation on it have been considered and the report finalised and agreed," Jackie Robinson said.

He added that the rail extension could be considered as part of future transport plans, after a transport strategy currently being drafted has been consulted on.

Analysis: Where to next?

Of the Northern Ireland recommendations in the All-Island Strategic Rail Review, this one had more of a tinge of reality to it, given that much of the infrastructure survives intact.

And local campaigners have stressed that advantage in years gone by.

But even so, restoring a rail line does not come cheap.

On the other hand, Northern Ireland has little choice but to address public transport networks as part of the drive to reach net zero.

But like the trains between Armagh and Portadown, with no minister behind the desk for now the idea isn't going anywhere.