CULLYBACKEY AREA

Translink is working to transform public transport in line with our vision to be your first choice for travel, today, for tomorrow. As an essential public service, public transport is fundamental to the economic, social and environmental well-being of our society.

An essential major rail refurbishment commenced between Cullybackey and Ballymena in Winter 2021 and will conclude in late 2023.

Contractor compounds used throughout the duration of this project were located at Shellinghill Road, Sand Road, Spence Crescent and Ballymena Road. These were used for essential material handling and storage. As we approach the end of the project, compound sites are currently being demobilised.

The project had three key elements:

• Cullybackey Level Crossings: The three Level Crossings at Cullybackey were coming to the end of their operational life after 30 years of service and required renewal. The crossing equipment has been renewed with updated technology which will enhance safety standards.
• Platform Extension at Cullybackey Train Station: The completion of the platform extension will offer additional space and capacity for local commuters and enable six-car train sets to call at the station. The conclusion of work on the new DDA-compliant ramp means that access for all users is now significantly enhanced. The new platform opened to passengers on Monday 2^nd October 2023.
• Killagan to Ballymena Cable Ducting: Around 5.5 miles of new cabling needed to be upgraded in the project area. This will enable technology enhancements to be maximised driving improved signalling efficiencies and reducing the levels of maintenance required in the future.

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• Enhancing the network to attract more people to choose ‘greener’ travel
• Protecting Northern Ireland’s rail infrastructure for future generations
• Enhanced network performance
• Reduced maintenance levels for the future
• Longer platforms for 6-car walkthrough trains - more space and capacity for passengers

Careful consideration was taken to determine the most appropriate way to deliver this project in order to minimise the overall impact for passengers and local residents. The following schedule provides an overview of how this project was delivered.

December 2021: Project commencement and compound establishment

Throughout 2022 and ongoing: Cable ducting along the route from Killagan to Ballymena with night working.

Autumn 2022: Minor infrastructure works around the station including fencing, the erection of new barriers, resurfacing works and upgrades to the existing access ramp.

November 2022 – March 2023: Platform extension at Cullybackey Train Station with day and night working.

Autumn 2022 - Spring 2023: Level crossings upgrades and signalling infrastructure works with day and night working and associated road closures.

Winter 2022/23 - Spring 2023: Testing and commissioning works (including a 10-day line closure and local road closures).

Finishing works were required throughout 2023 to complete the platform extension at Cullybackey Station as well as other key elements of the project.

Throughout the duration of the project we worked with our contractors to minimise any noise or impact on the local residents living in the surrounding area.

• Level Crossings - Local road closures and traffic diversions have been required from time to time to facilitate the renewal of the level crossings.
• Platform Works – Platform extension works were completed through day and night working. An alternative access was in place for train passengers via the existing footpath at Spence Crescent (accessed from Station Road), which was upgraded to go through the Station House Garden. This diversion was signposted locally and the station remained open throughout the duration of the works.
• Cable Ducting - Ducting works were carried out during night time shifts with noise mitigation measures and prior notification to properties in the vicinity of the works.

We have worked with the local community and elected representatives to support community initiatives in the local area that will leave a lasting legacy associated with the project. We have ensured that all community activities align with Translink’s corporate positions, including our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Strategy, Climate Positive Strategy, ‘SPIRIT’ guidelines and our four key CSR themes of Go Eco, Go Healthy, Go Safe and Go Together.

The Translink Safety Bus has visited both Buick Memorial PS and Cullybackey College to highlight safety issues associated with the use of public transport to local children in a fun and interactive environment.

We were also delighted to partner with Buick Memorial PS to provide sponsorship for book vouchers and additional books as part of the schools Book Fair and World Book Day to improve the school library.
We have engaged with the Cullybackey Community Partnership group and Buick PS to support a joint project called the ‘Friends of Buick’ initiative which funded books, arts and crafts, planting at the nursery and an intergenerational reading and planting project.

More recently we have engaged with Buick PS to provide a site visit to the station for P6 pupils which included a talk from Translink’s Level Crossing Risk Co-Ordinator. Translink have also provided train tickets to Buick PS for their P7 pupils and teachers to travel to and from Belfast.

We have worked closely with Cullybackey Community Partnership to develop environmental and biodiversity projects that will benefit the whole community. This has included sponsorship for a Bug Hotel and the regeneration of the local ‘orchard’ land at Old Cullybackey Road to provide seating and signage.

We have also engaged with Cullybackey College to provide a career’s talk to the senior school linked to ‘International Women in Engineering Day’. This talk was delivered by two female Translink graduates and the female project manager from the contractor and highlighted the range of opportunities in the engineering field.

To recycle some of the materials from the construction works, we donated cable drums to the Portglenone Men’s Shed for reuse in making furniture and crafts during their classes.

As part of Rail Safety Week between 26th June and 2nd July 2023, we were delighted to speak with P4-P7 children in Buick Memorial PS. This included a virtual reality camera and headset to demonstrate railway safety issues. This is particularly important in the Cullybackey area with the new level crossings now in operation.

We have engaged with the local community from the outset of the project, hosting online webinars in September 2021 and February 2023 and hosting public drop-in sessions in May and September 2022 and again in February 2023.

We have also issued numerous letters to keep the local community updated as the project progressed, letting you know more about our construction methods, our timescales and exactly when work was ongoing in the local area.

A contractor’s control centre number was established and was used throughout the project for any queries from local residents and stakeholders. If you would like to speak to a member of the project team, please contact the Babcock dedicated control centre on: 020 8629 5060, then option 5 (Rail Systems), then option 1 (Translink).

We continue to be 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.