Plans to reopen the former Portadown to Armagh railway line, which closed in 1957, have moved forward after a study found that the project is operationally feasible, technically deliverable, and would promote sustainable transport throughout the area.

The study was undertaken by consulting firm AECOM with funding provided by Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council and the Department for Infrastructure. It looked at a range of criteria including: the need and demand for train services; land requirements; economic benefits; the technical feasibility; impact on the operational rail network; stakeholder engagement; future strategy; and funding options.

For a long time the Portadown Armagh Railway Society (PARS) has been seeking such a study, and thanked the council for delivering it. Among the findings in the report was the overwhelming positive support from stakeholders for the scheme, and that a direct, heavy rail passenger service between Portadown and Armagh would best the objectives.

Reinstating the line would bring many benefits including shorter journey times between Armagh and both Portadown and Belfast, and a 10% shift in sustainable journeys on the basis that the line would attract 670,000 travellers each year.

There appears to be no significant engineering or environmental constraints to reinstating the line, which is both technically deliverable and operationally feasible. The economic benefits from reopening were shown by study outweigh both the investment and operating costs of the project. Wider benefits include reduced car dependency and greenhouse gas emissions, better integrated transport, improved social inclusion, the opportunity for compact urban development, and a better work/life balance for users.

Reopening the line was also recommended in the recent ‘All-Island Strategic Rail Review’, which also recommended reopening the line to Monaghan and Mullingar via Clones and Cavan.

Speaking about the findings, Lord Mayor Alderman Margaret Tinsley said: “Thanks to the extensive research undertaken as part of this study, Council has renewed its commitment to work in partnership with the Department for Infrastructure and Translink to take this project forward.

“Armagh is the only city on the island of Ireland without a rail connection. The lack of investment in its infrastructure is hindering the historic city from 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. 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.

“Furthermore, it will boost the city’s attractiveness as a major tourism hub in NI and support economic growth along the Craigavon corridor. Council is keen to work with the Department for Infrastructure and Translink to further develop the proposals.”

Jackie Robinson, DfI Director of Public Transport Policy & Climate Change Response said: “We appreciate the work that has gone into this technical study by the Council and their consultants AECOM. 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.

“In addition the Department is currently drafting a Transport Strategy for Northern Ireland which is a high-level strategic document to look at the overall policy context and identify transport priorities across the region; whilst also considering how we make our contribution to net zero.

“This is expected to be published for public consultation in the coming months. The Transport Strategy will guide the future Transport Plans within which this rail extension can be considered.”