Essential engineering works will be carried out on the Derry~Londonderry and Larne train lines on Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd October as part of the Dark Arches to Whiteabbey Track Renewal (DAWTR) project.
There will be some alteration to services with bus substitutions in operation on these lines.
Translink’s Director of Service Operations, Ian Campbell, said:
“The Dark Arches to Whiteabbey Track Renewal project represents a major capital investment and is essential to maintain high safety standards and operational performance as we invest and build back better to deliver fit for purpose infrastructure for the future.
“On Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd October, bus substitution will be in operation between Antrim and Lanyon Place Station in Belfast for services on the Derry~Londonderry line.
“Passengers with valid rail tickets will also be able to travel on scheduled Ulsterbus services 218 operating between Ballymena/Antrim and Belfast, in addition to the 212 service between Derry-Londonderry and Belfast during the closure period.
“A dedicated bus substitution will operate to and from Antrim for customers travelling from Mossley West. Anyone travelling from Mossley West into Belfast City Centre should use the Metro 1D service.
“The Larne line will be closed with bus substitutions serving main stations. Passengers who use Clipperstown Station are advised to make their way to Carrickfergus. The bus substitution service on the Larne line will not call at halts, but customers are advised to make their way to the designated bus substitution stops on the Shore Road.
“Work during this essential weekend closure will be undertaken during both daytime and night-time hours. Every effort will be made to keep any noise and disruption to a minimum at all times.
“There will also be additional engineering works on the Larne line to minimise any future impact on passenger services and maximise the line closure period.
“We are grateful for the support and patience of the local community as we progress this essential work.”
Passengers are advised to check their journey in advance using Translink’s website www.translink.co.uk or Journey Planner, as bus substitutions will operate at different times to scheduled trains.
Further information can be found online at www.translink.co.uk while further details on the DAWTR project can be found here:
The Derry~Londonderry line will be closed between Lanyon place and Antrim with a bus substitution service operating an altered timetable with early departures from Belfast. Mossley West will have a shuttle running to Antrim with altered timings and passengers travelling between Belfast and Mossley West will be required to avail of the Metro service.
Bus substitutions on the Larne line will operate along the main road servicing bus substitution stops and main stations - Yorkgate, Carrickfergus, Whitehead, Larne Town and Larne harbour – Main road Bus substitution stops will operate for Whiteabbey, Jordanstown, Greenisland, Trooperslane, Downshire, Ballycarry, Magheramorne, Glynn. Clipperstown will be closed through the weekend with intending passengers advised to make their way to Carrickfergus.