Translink announce number of road closures in Cullybackey as rail upgrade work continues

Translink has announced a number of road closures in the Cullybackey area over the next few weeks as it continues with a large-scale works project in the village.

The Cullybackey Area Signalling and Level Crossings Renewals Project involves significant upgrades and associated civil engineering works on the track and the platform of Cullybackey Train Station and the surrounding area.

It represents a major capital investment by the Department for Infrastructure and is essential to maintain high safety standards and operational performance for users of the railway.

The following road closures are required to support the delivery of nightworks to facilitate the level crossings upgrade element of the project which will improve operational performance and maintain high safety standards on the railway:

• Station Road Closure - 20:00hrs on Friday 10th June to 07:00hrs on Saturday 11th June 2022. Alternative route is Ballymena Road – Shellinghill Road – Tullygrawley Road

• Old Cullybackey Road Closure - 20:00hrs on Friday 17th June to 07:00hrs on Saturday 18th June 2022. Alternative route is Ballymena Road – Woodtown Road

• Ballymena Road Closure - 20:00hrs on Friday 24th June to 07:00hrs on Saturday 25th June 2022. Alternative route is Old Cullybackey Road – Woodtown Road

• Woodtown Road Closure - 20:00hrs on Friday 1st July to 07:00hrs on Saturday 2nd July 2022. Alternative route is Cullybackey Road – North Road – Galgorm Road – Old Galgorm Road – Old Park Road

The following are also dates where there will be an increase in activity at level crossings:

• Cullybackey Station Level Crossing – Saturday 11th June to Sunday 12th June 2022.

• Cullybackey North Level Crossing – Saturday 18th June to Sunday 19th June 2022.

• Cullybackey South Level Crossing – Saturday 18th June 20:00hrs to Sunday 19th June 2022.

Temporary contractor compounds habe been established at Shellinghill Road, Spence Crescent, Sand Road and Ballymena Road. These will be in use throughout the project until completion in Spring 2023. These sites will be restored once the project have been completed.

The cable ducting work during night shifts are also progressing well from Ballymena towards Cullybackey. Various preparatory works around the station platform, such as devegetation, have also been completed.

Access to the site will be via Spence Crescent and the garden at Station House.

Mitigation measures will be in place to manage noise and disturbance, including acoustic barriers creating this access. This work will also be carried out during the day.

During the works, engineering trains will be operating along the line. We will be working hard with our contractors to minimise any noise or impact on the local residents living in the surrounding area.

• Level Crossings - Local road closures will be required from time to time to facilitate the renewal of the level crossings. Alternative routes will be in place as agreed with DfI Roads and signposted in advance.

• Platform Extension - The platform extension works will be carried out at night with noise attenuation measures and prior notification to properties in the vicinity.

• Cable Ducting - Ducting works will be carried out at night with noise alleviation measures and prior notification to properties in the vicinity.

This station will remain open during the Platform Extension Works however there will be a temporary diversion in place for pedestrian users. Commissioning and testing will require a 10-day line closure in late 2022/early 2023 with a temporary timetable with bus substitution services in operation. Passengers with valid rail tickets will also be able to travel on designated scheduled Ulsterbus services.