Two public events will be held in the New Year as plans for a new £20m train station in Lurgan take a significant step forward.
A pre-planning application notice (PAN) – an indication of the size of the development – was today (Wednesday) lodged on behalf of Translink.
Plans include demolition of the existing station building and Musgrave Marketplace building to provide a new railway passenger facility in Lurgan, as well as increased Park and Ride capacity – following the purchase of land, by Translink, in December 2020; construction of a sheltering canopy on both platforms, and a pedestrian and cycle bridge lining the station building and platforms.
Lurgan Train Station
While it was originally anticipated that work would be completed in 2024, this now appears unlikely given a planning application cannot be lodged within 12 weeks of a pre-planning notice. It will then have to be considered and approved by Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council.
Public events will be held at Clann Eireann GAA ground and Lurgan Town Hall in January.
Related: Full steam ahead as £20m investment confirmed for new Lurgan train station
Welcoming the progress, Alliance MLA Eóin Tennyson, said: “There has been a significant campaign led by the community in Lurgan to see redevelopment of the train station over many years. That a Proposal of Application Notice has now been submitted represents significant progress.
“This investment presents a huge opportunity for Lurgan and must be accompanied by more frequent and late-night services to boost our night-time economy.
“Given our climate targets, we must ensure a greater proportion of infrastructure spending is reallocated to public transport projects to both reduce our carbon footprint and deliver cleaner, greener local communities.
“I look forward with excitement to seeing this much needed infrastructure project come to fruition.”
Sinn Féin MLA John O’Dowd described the news as “an important step in delivering this much-awaited project”.
He said: “Current facilities in Lurgan are outdated and the new station will give commuters a much better experience for their journey beginning and end
“There will be two public events held in January which will give local residents and key stakeholders the opportunity to meet the project team, view the proposals and provide feedback on the project.
“I would encourage local residents, business and commuters to have their say.”
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