Swann eyes Westminster backing for £300m–£500m Knockmore railway under new PM

South Antrim MP Robin Swann speaking at today’s UUP annual conference

Saturday 26 September 2026

Robin Swann has said the arrival of a new Prime Minister could create an opportunity to secure Westminster backing for the proposed £300 million to £500 million reopening of the Knockmore railway line through South Antrim.

The South Antrim MP used his address to today’s Ulster Unionist Party annual conference to put infrastructure investment alongside changes to Troubles legislation and a proposed 10% hospitality VAT pilot among his priorities at Westminster.

Mr Swann said the past year had been “unsettled and unpredictable” at Westminster, but told delegates the UUP wanted to work constructively with Prime Minister Andy Burnham while pressing for Northern Ireland to benefit from his focus on devolution and local decision-making.

“Andy Burnham has made it clear to us that he is putting a big focus on devolution and localised power. Be assured, we will be holding him to that, to ensure Northern Ireland gets the best possible deal,” Mr Swann said.

First conference under Jon Burrows

Saturday’s gathering at the Crowne Plaza in Belfast is also the UUP’s first annual conference under North Antrim MLA Jon Burrows, who was ratified as party leader in January after being the only candidate for the position. Mr Burrows, a former senior PSNI officer who entered the Assembly in August 2025, is due to deliver his first conference speech as leader later today.

The conference therefore marks an important staging point for the party ahead of next year’s elections, with Mr Burrows seeking to set out his direction for the UUP after succeeding Mike Nesbitt as leader.

£300m to £500m Knockmore railway proposal

Among Mr Swann’s major infrastructure priorities is reopening the disused Knockmore railway line, potentially reconnecting Antrim and Lisburn through Crumlin, Glenavy and Ballinderry while providing rail connectivity to Belfast International Airport.

A 2025 feasibility study concluded that reopening the line was viable, while an Early Day Motion tabled by Mr Swann in February said the project could potentially generate one million passenger journeys annually and called for UK Government capital funding to accelerate its delivery.

Mr Swann told conference that reopening the line would require £300 million and argued that the scale of investment meant support from Westminster could be necessary.

However, the Department for Infrastructure has previously put the estimated capital cost at a broader £300 million to £500 million, depending on factors including the eventual service pattern, airport connection and type of traction used.

“With ours being one of very few international airports in the United Kingdom without a rail connection, we are simply being left behind,” Mr Swann told delegates.

He said he would continue championing the project at Westminster and in Northern Ireland, arguing that the new Prime Minister’s emphasis on devolution and public transport could provide an opportunity to seek UK Government support. No commitment to provide that capital funding has yet been announced.

Changes sought to Troubles legislation

Mr Swann also used his speech to outline amendments he is pursuing to the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill, saying victims and survivors should be placed at the centre of the legislation.

Among the changes he highlighted is an amendment concerning sexual offences committed as part of the Troubles, which would allow victims of those offences to request an investigation by the legacy commission.

“These crimes have significant, lasting physical and emotional impacts on the victims,” Mr Swann said.

“These victims deserve an investigation and proper justice, and it is wrong to simply add these cases to the heavy caseload of the PSNI.”

Mr Swann said he had secured cross-party backing for the amendment, including support from Northern Ireland, Conservative and Labour MPs, and would continue pressing the Northern Ireland Office as the legislation progresses.

He also said his amendments sought to ensure impartiality and independence and address the position of military veterans, telling delegates: “We need to address the past fairly and justly. We also need to look towards a more prosperous Northern Ireland within the Union in the future.”

Northern Ireland hospitality VAT pilot

Another major element of Mr Swann’s Westminster agenda is his campaign for Northern Ireland to become a test bed for a reduction in hospitality VAT to 10%.

In July, the South Antrim MP led a Westminster Hall debate on the potential merits of a VAT reduction pilot for hospitality businesses in Northern Ireland, arguing that the sector faces competitive pressures from businesses across the border in the Republic of Ireland.

“This is about fair competition with the Republic of Ireland and taking the pressure off businesses that already face thin margins and rising prices,” Mr Swann told conference.

He stressed that his proposal was not simply for a permanent Northern Ireland-only reduction, but for a pilot which could measure the effects of the lower rate and potentially inform future UK-wide policy.

Mr Swann said he had been working with Hospitality Ulster and the Northern Ireland Food To Go Association on the campaign. Despite his efforts at Westminster, there is currently no UK Government commitment to introduce the proposed 10% Northern Ireland pilot.

Farm inheritance tax changes

Mr Swann also returned to an issue he raised at last year’s conference — changes to inheritance tax relief for agricultural and business property.

He characterised the Government’s subsequent changes as “a genuine victory, not complete but a victory”, after the original proposals faced sustained opposition from farming organisations and politicians.

The Government increased the allowance receiving 100% Agricultural Property Relief and Business Property Relief from its originally proposed £1 million to £2.5 million, with unused allowance transferable between spouses or civil partners. Assets above the allowance can receive 50% relief.

The change therefore significantly softened the original reform rather than removing it entirely.

“Huge credit must go to our local farming families, the Ulster Farmers’ Union, and everyone who refused to stay quiet and made their voices heard,” Mr Swann said.

Looking towards the elections

Mr Swann also briefly highlighted work on the cost of car insurance for young drivers and said the party’s Westminster representatives would continue pursuing practical issues affecting households and businesses in Northern Ireland.

He ended his address by looking towards next year’s elections and the UUP’s ambition to increase its representation, telling members that electoral growth would depend on the work of candidates and activists across Northern Ireland.

“The growth and gains we want to see across Northern Ireland will not happen by chance,” he said. “They will be built on the tireless efforts of our candidates and our grassroots members out on the doors, week in, week out.”

For Mr Swann’s Westminster priorities, the central question after today’s conference will be whether the change in Downing Street translates into concrete commitments for Northern Ireland — including whether UK Government money can ultimately be secured to move the Knockmore railway proposal towards delivery.