Ford backs Templepatrick railway station as congestion beater

12.00.00am GMT Mon 7th Mar 2005

ALLIANCE South Antrim Assembly member David Ford will be meeting senior board officials from the Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company (which operates NI Railways) on Wednesday to discuss proposals for a new railway station at Ballymartin (beside the M2 outside Templepatrick).

Speaking ahead of the meeting, the Alliance Party Leader stated:

"This campaign is not just for a railway, but for proper services for the people of Templepatrick.

"The best location for a station is beside the M2 motorway, to attract as many people as possible off it and provide quality public transport from there. It is certainly a better idea than widening the M2 from Sandyknowes roundabout, which will eventually create more congestion.

"With new trains now on track, we have a golden opportunity to offer a first class, speedy, efficient and more environmentally-friendly alternative to the car-owning commuter.

"Unfortunately this project was not planned when the line was re-opened, as there was an unwillingness in Government to move it forward at the right time.

"Reducing the number of cars on the M2 will be both good for the environment and the thousands of frustrated drivers who sit in traffic jams virtually every day. While a new station would be great news for Templepatrick, there would undoubtedly be knock-on benefits to people from Ballyclare and Doagh, as car numbers would be reduced."