Downpatrick and County Down Railway needs greater Support says Colin McGrath MLA
SDLP South Down MLA Colin McGrath has said that the Downpatrick and County Down Railway needs significant support to return to trade and face the future.
Commenting, the South Down MLA has said: “I was delighted to meet with Morgan today at the railway to get a tour of the site in the wake of the recent flooding.
“It is devastating to see such a key part of our town centre having suffered so greatly as a result of the recent flooding.
“There can be no doubt, the local railway project plays an essential part in the future of Downpatrick and its redevelopment.
“There is really nowhere else quite like this facility anywhere else on this island that I am aware of. It is unique. The potential for the Railway to grow and expand is there if the will is there to support them.
“This requires extensive support at different government levels… from local Council, the Assembly, and indeed Westminster.
“There are a number of issues which we identified that I will now be raising with Newry Mourne and Down District Council.
“However, the issues with central government and Westminster are larger in scale and must also now be addressed.
“I was horrified to hear that the Railway has received no funding support following the floods.
“Some £15million was made available and only £1million has been tapped into so far, and we are now moving into the next phase of funding support.
“I believe there is a case to be made for support to be made available based on need.
“The Railway needs a significant level of funding to be made available to get trading again and to face the future.
“I will be writing to the Secretary of State on this with urgency and to request that he listen to the real concerns of local traders and organisations such as the DCDR.
“That is his responsibility and he must not be allowed to shirk from it.”
