Mallon: A ‘Rail’ Chance of Success for North-West Transport Hub

Infrastructure Minister, Nichola Mallon has welcomed the nomination of the North-West Transport Hub for the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) People’s Choice Award 2021 and encouraged the local community to show their support.

Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon

The North-West Transport Hub, which completed during 2020, is a £27m investment in public transport infrastructure in the North-West, supported by the EU’s INTERREG VA Programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), alongside significant additional support from the Department for Infrastructure, Department of Transport in the South of Ireland, Derry City and Strabane District Council, Donegal County Council and Sustrans.

This prestigious international award recognises the top civil engineering project of the year, as voted for by the public. It reflects what we, the people who benefit from civil engineering in our everyday lives, really think and is a chance to say a big thank you to those who delivered the project.  Awarded by ICE, the professional body for civil engineers, the prize is an important recognition of major infrastructure projects and the enhancements they bring.

Infrastructure Minister, Nichola Mallon said:

“Since taking up my role as Minister, I have been clear that one of my priorities is to address regional imbalance particularly in the North West which has suffered decades of underinvestment. We need to better connect our communities and I am committed to delivering cleaner, greener, sustainable infrastructure through an increase in the use of public transport and especially by unlocking the potential our rail network can bring to our island. To do this successfully we need to invest in the right infrastructure and facilities and I am delighted that the delivery of the innovative North West Hub is an excellent example of us doing just that. 

“While there is still so much more to do, by linking in the historic Waterside Station with Derry City’s greenway network and connecting local communities, the Hub has further enhanced the passenger experience and allowed for improved co-ordination of services, as well as a Greenway link to the city centre via the iconic Peace Bridge.  It will also offer further opportunities to drive continued growth in passenger numbers on the Derry line and enhance the tourism and economic potential of rail in the North West which I am committed to improving.

“I am therefore delighted that the North West Hub has deservedly been nominated for the prestigious Institution of Civil Engineers Award and I would encourage the local community in the North-West and beyond to show their support for the project.  You can vote online for ‘NI Multi-Modal Hub (North-West) at www.ice.org.uk/what-is-civil-engineering/peoples-choice-award’’

John Glass, Translink’s Director of Infrastructure and Projects, said:

‘‘The North-West Transport Hub has taken a key piece of Derry~Londonderry’s architectural heritage and sensitively restored it to a state of the art, 21^st Century transport facility, an appropriate gateway to this vibrant city and the wider North-West region, as well as a key driver of active and sustainable travel.

 ‘‘Translink was delighted to fulfil our commitment to the local community by restoring this fine example of Victorian railway architecture to its’  original purpose and we are very proud that the Hub is a finalist in the ICE People’s Choice Awards.  This is a worthy recognition of the Translink Project Team and our development partners and it is a genuine honour to be shortlisted in such a prestigious international competition.

 ‘‘We want to appeal to the people of Derry~Londonderry and the wider community to help claim this accolade for the North-West and show the world what a tremendous asset the North-West Transport Hub is.”   

Jenny Green, from the Institution of Civil Engineers said:

“I’m delighted that the North-West Transport Hub has been shortlisted for the public vote of our People’s Choice Award.  We have a rich civil engineering heritage here, that continues with excellence today.  I really hope that people get behind this project to show that our infrastructure can more than hold its own on the global stage.”

Voting for the ICE People’s Choice Awards is now open and you can vote online until Tuesday 19 October.  The winner will be announced in the coming weeks.

Notes to editors: 

1. Listed on the nomination as ‘NI Multi-Modal Hub (North-West)’, the North-West Transport Hub is located at the former Waterside Train Station, a 19^th Century Grade B-listed building which was built in the 1870s and served as one of the city’s main stations for over a century before closing in 1980.  The building has been restored and repurposed for use as a 21^st Century transport facility, and is intended to act as a gateway to Derry and the wider region, as well as promoting active and sustainable travel.  It brings together a wide range of transport modes, including rail, bus, cycling and walking and provides enhanced customer and staff facilities. 
2. The North-West Transport Hub also delivers a unique and vibrant area within the building, an open space where communities and organisations can share their stories, a venue for classes and events, or present new ideas, in a building that is part of the fabric of Derry, important part of the city’s future as well as its past.  
3. All media queries should be directed to the Department for Infrastructure Press Office at: press.office@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk.
4. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.
5. Follow the Department on Twitter @deptinfra and on Facebook @DepartmentforInfrastructure.

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