Derriaghy Station Improvements

Translink have recently introduced 21 new Class 4000 carriages to our network, complementing our existing fleet and enabling the conversion of a number of our current three carriage trains into six carriage trains.

This will allow for additional capacity across the NI Railways network at peak times and help to encourage greater use of public transport, with more people travelling to and from workplaces, education, and social and leisure opportunities.  

This reflects a growth in passenger numbers in recent years and we anticipate that more people will be willing to make the switch to public transport as part of a wider drive towards a sustainable recovery in the years ahead as we progress towards a net zero public transport system by 2040.

We want to harness a permanent modal shift towards greener, eco-friendly transport - offering increased capacity across the network and providing greater choice for passengers is a key part of that strategy.

The platforms at Derriaghy Train Station are each currently long enough to accommodate three-carriage trains only. To accommodate six-carriage sets and increase capacity, they will each need to be around 150m in length. Translink is extending both platforms at Derriaghy to allow six-carriage sets to call at the station.

A planning application for this project was approved by Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council in 2022. The project will see the removal of the existing Belfast-bound platform and relocate it to the opposite side of Queensway, facilitating a new 146m long platform with enhanced accessibility.  

We will also extend the south-bound platform by 44m southwards to ensure that it meets all required standards, providing opportunities for six carriage sets to stop.   

As a vital public service, Translink is committed to delivering high quality sustainable public transport that is crucial for the economic, social, and environmental wellbeing of Northern Ireland. We help to keep people connected to employment, education, retail, social and leisure opportunities, as well as provide opportunities for visitors.

Recent years have witnessed an increase in passenger numbers travelling to and from Derriaghy Train Station, and there is a need to progress increased capacity at the station to meet present and anticipated future demand.

• Train services with six carriages will be able stop at Derriaghy Train Station, in both directions. 
• Increased passenger capacity on the NI Railways network, helping more people travel to and from the workplace, education and retail, social and leisure opportunities.
• Increased Translink investment in the public transport network to help drive a sustainable future.
• Improved access to Belfast-bound platform with incorporation of an accessibility ramp.

• March 2021: Planning application submitted to Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council.
• October 2022: Planning approval obtained from Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council.
• July 2023: Construction works commenced.
• Christmas 2023: Line Closure to facilitate works, successfully undertaken  during daytime hours between 7am and 7pm on Thursday 28 and Friday 29 December.
• Easter 2024: Line Closure from 11.30pm on Friday 29 March until 5am on Monday 8 April inclusive to facilitate works. All work on the platforms will be undertaken during daytime working hours.
• Spring 2024: Project completion.

Translink recently held two public information days to discuss with local residents and passengers the plans for the new platform extensions at Derriaghy Train Station.  

The Translink team hosted public information days on Wednesday 23rd August in the Kilmakee Activity Centre, 52a Rowan Drive, Dunmurry, and on Thursday 28th September in St Colman’s Primary School, Lambeg. These information days provided an opportunity for members of the public to call in and speak with the project team about the platform improvements.

We will continue to keep in touch with the local community as this project progresses, letting you know more about our construction methods, our timescales and exactly when we’ll be working. We do this through a variety of means such as letter drops and through online updates.

Should you wish to speak with our Project Control Team regarding the works at any time, they can be contacted on 07469 015130; if there is no answer, please leave a message with your contact details, and your call will be returned as soon as possible. 

We are grateful for your support for our efforts to deliver a better rail service for everyone, helping make public transport first choice for travel, for today and for tomorrow.

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