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IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SDLP MLA BURNS: WELCOMES ANTRIM STATION FACELIFT

SDLP South Antrim MLA Thomas Burns has said work to refurbish Antrim Train station, which started this week, was very welcome. However he added that local people felt it was ‘long overdue’. 

He said: “Most residents of Antrim would agree that the station is in need of a major overhaul and I am delighted to see work finally commence. The station badly needs better lighting, better bins, new signs, new seats and a more pleasant waiting area. I was especially pleased to hear that the toilets will also be upgraded to allow better access for the disabled.

“If Translink want to get people out of their cars and onto public transport they need to invest in upgrades to places like Antrim station. It has great potential to be a major transport hub, but money must be spent if this potential is to be realised.”

He went on to say that the plans to upgrade the station were only one piece of the puzzle and they must be accompanied by other improvements.

“In addition to the refurbishment of the station, I would hope to see improved bus and rail timetables and new rolling stock. It is no use having a state of the art station if the trains and buses are old, services are infrequent and fares are expensive. Translink have been making progress in this area and I congratulate them for it, but I want to see even more improvements.”

The SDLP representative also urged Translink to ‘get serious’ about park and ride in Antrim.

“A few years ago ‘park and ride’ was a foreign concept to most people, but these days you would have to be very lucky indeed to get a space in the carpark at Antrim station in the morning. The demand is there and Translink should grab this opportunity with both hands.”

ENDS