Robin Swann champions rail link between Lisburn, Antrim and International Airport in the Commons

Robin Swann MP speaking on Thursday morning in the House of Commons.

South Antrim MP Robin Swann has called on the UK Government to prioritise funding for the Lisburn-Antrim railway line, which would connect directly to Belfast International Airport, during a Commons debate on regional growth.

Speaking during a parliamentary statement on regional development, Mr Swann highlighted the urgent need to invest in strategic transport links in Northern Ireland.

He specifically pressed Treasury Minister Darren Jones MP on progressing funding for the proposed Lisburn-Antrim rail line, which was previously examined under the UK Government’s Union Connectivity Fund.

“The statement says that stronger transport links are crucial, and the Department for Transport has already paid, through the Union connectivity fund, for a feasibility study on the reopening of the Lisburn-Antrim rail line, which would connect to Belfast International airport in my constituency,” Mr Swann told the House.

“Unfortunately, they have already told me that they cannot allocate funding until the next spending review is announced, so they have beaten the Chief Secretary to that answer.”

£450m potential for Northern Ireland rail investment

Mr Swann drew attention to the implications of the UK Government’s £15.6 billion investment in railways in Great Britain, which, under the Barnett formula, would equate to approximately £450 million for Northern Ireland.

He argued that this sum should be used to enhance local rail infrastructure, including the airport connection.

“Given that the £15.6 billion that has been allocated today roughly equates to £450 million as a Barnett consequential, would he agree that investment in that Lisburn-Antrim-Belfast International line would be a good investment in Northern Ireland railways?” he asked.

In response, Treasury Minister Darren Jones acknowledged the importance of equitable infrastructure investment across all parts of the United Kingdom. He stated that further details on spending would be revealed in the upcoming review.

“The hon. Member rightly alludes to the fact that because the Labour Government are increasing investment here in Westminster for the whole country, the nations of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland benefit, both through Barnett and direct spending from this Government, to make sure we are investing in every nation and region of the country,” Minister Jones said.

“We have already seen significant amounts of funding—I think the highest level of funding since devolution began—into Northern Ireland, as well as Scotland and Wales, and further details will be published next week at the spending review.”

Feasibility study results due this Summer

The Department for Transport has previously confirmed its financial support for a feasibility study into the reopening of the Lisburn-Antrim rail line under the Union Connectivity Fund.

The Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland is expected to publish the results of this study later this summer.

If given the green light, the project would mark a major step in improving regional connectivity, boosting access to Belfast International Airport and potentially supporting economic development throughout Antrim, Lisburn, and surrounding areas.