Concerns have been raised that the new hourly train service between Belfast and Dublin will have a “serious” impact on Lurgan amid fears it will lead to even more congestion in a town already “left behind” in terms of transport infrastructure.
With the number of cross-border Enterprise services set to be increased as part of a rail upgrade following the opening of the Belfast Grand Central Station, there are concerns the town will suffer “yet more disruption”.
Resident Stephen Moore said Lurgan will “not see the benefit” of the extra services as trains will not be stopping in the town.
Instead, he said, there will be a build-up of even more congestion at the three rail crossings in the town, which has not seen any major transport infrastructure upgrades in recent years.
“The town is going to be collateral damage,” he said.
The new hourly service will cut journey times on the Belfast to Dublin train to under two hours.
Translink has said the flagship service will see 15 trains leave its new Belfast Central Station transport hub for Dublin every day – a total of 30 running in both directions.
While hailed as a much needed boost for rail services, there is criticism it will heavily impact Lurgan.
There is frustration among residents and commuters that the new hourly service will lead to yet more congestion at the rail crossings at William Street, Bells Row and Lake Road.
“The Belfast to Dublin rail line is moving hourly, which is great in many respects, but also it’s going to put serious pressure on the town of Lurgan as the infrastructure around the rail line has not improved in decades,” said Mr Moore.
“There has been no focus on the town at all, there has been no progress.
“There’s three rail crossings that go right through the town, which is the only place in Ireland where it actually happens.
“But there are so many issues related to them – health and safety and the environmental side of it – congestion, exhausts, cyclists.
“This hourly service is going to really make matters worse from an environmental and congestion side of things.”
On Monday, the barriers of the William Street level crossing malfunctioned, leaving the road blocked with traffic at a standstill throughout parts of the town centre.
Numerous complaints were posted online by frustrated motorists, including one man who said: “Absolute joke these gates, surely they can come up with an alternative that isn’t so disruptive to everyone else on the roads”.
Another said: “Translink planning to close the gates more often during the day to accommodate more journeys as well. Recipe for disaster.
“Time for Translink to remove the gates permanently and deliver a proper solution that won’t affect traffic flow.”
Another highlighted about the potential “pollution spilling out of those exhausts”.
Mr Moore, an ex-member of Lurgan Forward which lobbied for improvements in the town, said “there’s no question – Lurgan is definitely being overlooked”.
“The hourly Belfast to Dublin train won’t even stop in Lurgan, it doesn’t benefit us,” he said.
“Yet there will be more disruption for the people of Lurgan who are living and commuting here.
“Lurgan has been left behind, all these upgrades in other areas, but Lurgan has been left behind in rail and bus infrastructure.
“Previously there had been talk they were going to build a new station, I don’t know what has happened – it just seems to have fallen off the radar.
“There was also talk about electronic signs coming into the town so people would be able to divert because they know there’s a train coming.
“But again, that didn’t happen.”
He called for a renewed focus on the town in a bid to help alleviate concerns.
“Simple mitigations, like the electronic signs, could help allay some of the frustrations of the local people because the hourly service is going to really make matters worse from an environmental and congestion side of things,” he said.
“We’re in a catch-22 situation in Lurgan, the train and the hourly link north and south is absolutely brilliant – but on the other side of it, the town is going to be collateral damage if some of these mitigations are not put through.”
A Translink spokeswoman said: “Plans are in progress to redevelop the existing Lurgan Train Station.
“Subject to funding and planning approval, the redevelopment project will see construction of a brand new rail passenger facility alongside increased park and ride capacity and enhanced active travel features.
“We will consult with local people and stakeholders as part of the normal planning process associated with this proposal.”
