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Parties polls apart over multi-million pound county Armagh railway network promises

Armagh rail will be delivered according to an SDLP manifesto

The reopening of the Armagh to Portadown rail link will go ahead, the SDLP has claimed.

In its Assembly election manifesto, the party says that it will deliver on the provision of the much-campaigned for railway line.

In a list of key infrastructural transport developments, the SDLP manifesto also says that a ‘mini flyover’ will be provided at Lurgan train station.

SDLP Upper Bann MLA Dolores Kelly tweeted the election pledge from the document.

According to her tweet, delivering the various elements in the manifesto will come with a £217 million price tag.

Sinn Fein, meanwhile, has accused the party of attempting to “mislead the public by claiming that they have secured a flyover at Lurgan train station”.

Upper Bann candidate Catherine Seeley said: “The SDLP have claimed in their manifesto that they have secured an upgrade to Lurgan train station including a flyover to lessen traffic congestion by having it included in the NI Structural Development Programme (ISNI).

“This is not true as the only reference to Lurgan Railway station in the document is as follows: ‘Lurgan Railway Station: The project scope is to upgrade passenger and staff facilities to the railway station to extend facility lifespan and improve accessibility’.

“Individual parties cannot contribute to the strategy and the Department of Regional Development have only submitted the above clause in relation to Lurgan train station.

“The SDLP manifesto is uncosted and made up of wish lists they believe the public want to see when there is little or no chance of delivery.

“The SDLP need to be honest with the people of Lurgan and explain why they have misled them on this important issue.

“Sinn Féin will work for a full upgrade of the railway infrastructure while at the same time being honest about what can be achieved.”

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