The £5.6m Portrush Station project has taken another major step forward in recent days, with the removal of what’s been a notable, albeit temporary, feature.
The scaffolding and encapsulation, which has adorned the structure during the last few weeks, has now been removed as work on the structure progresses.
Funding for the new station has been secured from the Department for Communities (£4.7m) and Department for Infrastructure (over £900k).
The new train station is one element of a wider £17m Portrush Regeneration Programme, led by the Department for Communities, which also includes a major public realm and revitalisation scheme for the town ahead of The 148th Open, which will be held in Portrush this summer. Work will conclude ahead of the tournament.
The new, modern, fully-accessible facility will allow for further passenger growth at Portrush station, with over 620,000 journeys per year currently being made to and from the existing station. It will also contribute positively to the ongoing regeneration in Portrush town centre and surrounding area. Amongst other facilities, the site will boast modern waiting facilities, improved passenger information and signage to local amenities and attractions as well as enhanced cycle storage to encourage active travel and ‘greener’ tourism links. Above all, it will appropriately reflect the town’s status as one of Northern Ireland’s premier tourist resorts.
John Glass, Translink’s Director of Infrastructure and Projects, said: ‘‘We’re really pleased with the progress on Portrush Train Station, one of our highest-profile investments, and the removal of the scaffolding and encapsulation around the main structure symbolises a significant milestone in our construction works. As we enter the last stages of the project, we’ll be focusing on getting the station ready to the very highest specifications, both inside and out.
‘‘We are also looking forward to the unveiling of the gateway images, capturing the essence of the Causeway Coast, facing Eglinton Street in the coming weeks – this will be a highly positive feature of the station and will help make the facility a welcoming space for all.
‘‘The new station will not only serve the increasing numbers visiting the North Coast but will also help regenerate the area around one of the main gateways into this popular seaside town. If we’re to encourage more people to make sustainable travel choices, and advance Translink’s own vision of making public ‘your first choice for travel in Northern Ireland’, we need to have the right infrastructure in place. This major investment in Portrush is a perfect example of the right infrastructure in the right place in order to accommodate ever-growing passenger numbers and contribute to the economic development of the town and the wider Causeway Coast area.’’
Jonny Kerr, Rail Director at GRAHAM said: “We are delighted that construction work on the £5.6m Portrush Train Station project is continuing at pace in advance of The 148th Open. GRAHAM specialises in delivering innovative solutions to complex civil engineering challenges and we strive to create world class projects that transform and enhance the rural and urban landscapes where we operate.”
“The new Portrush Railway Station will be a lasting legacy after The Open. The station provides links to the North Coast and will be the first building that visitors travelling by rail to this part of Northern Ireland will encounter. The train station will provide a modern entrance to Portrush, complementing the wider ongoing regeneration work that is taking place.’’
