The Armagh to Portadown railway line could be reinstated within the next 15 years, according to a major cross-border paper published on Monday.
The Rail Project Prioritisation Strategy flags the various projects outlined in an earlier review of the future of train transport in Northern Ireland and the Republic.
The Armagh to Portadown rail link is classified as a “major” project and involves the reinstatement of the line.
But according to the paper, all of the projects will “need to secure the necessary approvals and funding before proceeding to construction”.
That said, the goals in relation to the Armagh to Portadown line are for planning permission and approval to proceed within the next five or six years.
It would be hoped that work could begin within 10 years with a view to the project then being completed 15 years from now.
Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins and Ireland’s Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien and Minister of State with responsibility for the implementation of the All-Island Strategic Rail Review, Seán Canney, have all welcomed the publication of the Rail Project Prioritisation Strategy for the island.
Assisted by the European Investment Bank (EIB), the Rail Project Prioritisation Strategy is being published by the Department of Transport and Department for Infrastructure.
It outlines how to best sequence and optimise the recommendations of the All-Island Strategic Rail Review, which was launched following public consultation in July 2024.
The Strategy specifies short-term rail infrastructure investments, referred to as Early Interventions, to be delivered in the coming years. These include a series of new track passing loops and platforms to boost the rail network’s resilience and capacity. Work on these projects in Ireland will start next year, for full delivery by 2030.
The Strategy also identifies major projects to be progressed for the longer-run, involving intercity electrification and significant capacity upgrades on the rail network.
These major projects include ‘FourNorth’, to add track capacity on the busy Northern line north of Connolly station; electrification and line speed improvements on the Dublin-Cork and Dublin-Belfast routes; and new/reinstated lines such as Portadown to Derry~Londonderry and Letterkenny.
Minister Kimmins said: “This is the next step in progressing the implementation of the All-island Rail Review.
“I believe the transformation of our rail network will help address regional imbalance and encourage a shift towards greater use of sustainable transport. This includes important projects including Portadown to Derry, Portadown to Armagh and Lisburn to Antrim.
“The publication of this Rail Project Prioritisation Strategy provides a way forward for connecting communities who have been without rail, particularly in the northwest, alongside increasing frequency and improving services for those along existing lines. This will help strengthen economic and social ties across the island.”
Minister O’Brien said: “I welcome the publication of this Strategy which provides a way forward for faster rail services, improved frequency, and greater accessibility and connectivity across this island. I look forward to implementation of the rail projects in the years ahead.”
Minister Canney added: “The implementation of the All-Island Strategic Rail Review is a priority for me. In particular, I am delighted that this Strategy highlights rail enhancements for delivery over the next few years, involving a new station platform at Limerick Junction, additional platforms at Woodlawn and Clara on the Galway line and at Sligo and Enfield on the Sligo line, as well as new track passing loops on the Limerick to Waterford line, the Sligo line, the Westport/Ballina route and Dublin to Belfast line.
“These projects will help to enhance capacity, frequency and reliability quickly. I am also happy that the Strategy includes the construction of the Western Rail Corridor from Athenry to Claremorris, on which some preliminary clearing works have already commenced.”
Irish Government funding for the Early Interventions will be provided under the National Development Plan Transport Sectoral Implementation Plan for 2026 to 2030, published in November.
Overall, the Strategy outlines the rail frequency, journey time and sustainability benefits that will be delivered by the various projects included within it.
The Department of Transport and the Department for Infrastructure say they will continue to work together as appropriate to advance these projects and support their delivery, in the public interest.
