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S. E. A. Statements

Derry City Council needs to move on rail

Monday 5th April 2004

The Socialist Environmental Alliance is calling on Derry City Council to become pro-active in presenting the case for the upgrading of the rail link to Belfast.

Speaking on Saturday as SEA members continued to collect signatures for a pro-rail petition in the city centre, SEA candidate in the European elections, Eamonn McCann said "The publication of the report of the Northern Ireland Railways Strategic Rail Review (NIRSRR) has inspired a redoubling of efforts by socialists, environmentalists, trade unionists and train enthusiasts to have the rail link between Belfast and Derry upgraded.

"However", says Mr. McCann, "the options presented by the NIRSRR show there is now an urgent job for the Council to make a comprehensive economic argument in support of a high-speed rail link to Belfast.

"For example, how many of the thousands of workers who commute to Belfast regularly for work would transfer from bus or car to a train service that guaranteed to get them to Belfast in an hour and a half? How much freight traffic would transfer from lorries to train if freight carriage was restored? How many tourists would use the service?

"Detailed analysis in the report indicates that only an option which includes upgrading the Belfast-Derry line is likely to bring 'significant net economic benefits to the Northern Ireland community', says Mr. McCann.

"It is hard, therefore, to understand why the report also suggests that the case for spending on the 'non-core' parts of the network 'is not clear cut'. The 'non-core' part includes the link between Belfast and Derry.

"All this suggests that there is still a great deal left undone in pressing the case for a modern, high-speed link to Belfast. I call again on other parties to come in behind the Into the West initiative and to join with the SEA in exerting maximum pressure in support of upgrading the link."

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• 23rd December 2005
  • Stop the evictions for Ryan Air's Runway
• 12th December 2005
  • Bloody Sunday families attend Iraq peace conference
• 1st November 2005
  • Derry’s rail link may be getting back on track
• 27th September 2005
  • Bus to Rossport Five demo in Dublin Sat 1st October
• 22st September 2005
  • Research results for Derry people who want to show solidarity with the Rossport Five
• 21st September 2005
  • Rage against Hain helped spark violence ---McCann
• 13th September 2005
  • Into the West meets with Durkan, Campbell
• 25th August 2005
  • Socialist Environmental Alliance does not welcome ILEX boss
• 18th July 2005
  • Rail Disaster for Derry
• 13th July 2005
  • Derry Anti War Coalition Rally Saturday 16th July 3pm Guildhall Square
• 27th June 2005
  • Eamonn McCann to speak at G8 Alternatives events in Scotland this weekend
• 23rd June 2005
  • SEA calls for support for Band on the Walls
• 2nd June 2005
  • Socialist Environmental Alliance protest against PSNI
• 25th May 2005
  • Anti-poverty group to put "wrist-band" on Derry Walls
• 20th May 2005
  • SEA backs BBC strikers
• 19th May 2005
  • SEA slams Real IRA
• 19th May 2005
  • Derry trade unionists to meet new Foyle MP Mark Durkan
• 18th May 2005
  • First they came for the tea trolley....SEA slams Derry rail downgrade
• 14th May 2005
  • Big Derry contingent to G8 Protests in Scotland
• 28th April 2005
  • SEA welcomes Sinn Fein removal of election literature from Royal Mail
• 24th April 2005
  • Stingy Ryanair
• 24th March 2005
  • No welcome for airport decision
• 24th March 2005
  • SEA wants strike action against education cuts
• 17th march 2005
  • SEA calls for ILEX to be scrapped
• 14th march 2005
  • Western Board 'on the cheap' speech therapy
• 23rd February 2005
  • S.E.A. urges voter registration
• 10th February 2005
  • Call for big turnout at Saturday's water rallies
• 25th November 2004
  • Airport expansion should not be on 'Talks' agenda says SEA
• 25th November 2004
  • Foyle Trust "twisting truth" on speech therapy
• 19th November 2004
  • Blue bins must be used properly to avoid incinerator
• 21st October 2004
  • SEA condemns sectarian attacks
• 30th September 2004
  • SEA welcomes support for "Civil Rights for All" March
• 28th September 2004
  • No sectarian motive to civil rights march
• 20th September 2004
  • Civil Rights For All march 2nd October
• 14th September 2004
  • Water Charges
• 9th September 2004
  • Northern Ireland must remain GM-free
• 12th August 2004
  • Water privatisation will lead to more poverty
• 8th August 2004
  • SEA says GP cutbacks will increase illness
• 29th July 2004
  • SEA stands up for civil rights of black and gay people
• 20th June 2004
  • High Court ruling about civil servants standing for election
• 8th June 2004
  • Call for votes
• 7th June 2004
  • McCann supporters take over Cave Hill
• 3rd June 2004
  • McCann records his first single!
• 10th May 2004
  • McCann seeking judicial review of BBC decision
• 3rd May 2004
  • Meeting BBC and UTV re election broadcasts
• 5th April 2004
  • Derry City Council needs to move on rail
• 29th March 2004
  • Huge Response to SEA Campaign on Railways
• 25th March 2004
  • SEA may go to court over TV coverage of Euro elections
  • SEA to challenge other parties on Bush visit to Ireland
  • Why SEA is standing in European Elections
• 15th March 2004
  • SEA defends Nucleus against Precious Life
• 9th March 2004
  • SEA attacks Council plans to cut leisure facilities and wages
• 19th February 2004
  • Policy Statement On young People - June 2001
• 5th February 2004
  • Left Convention Derry 14th February
  • Glen Court meeting unanimous
• 26th January 2004
  • Social Security Office closures affect claimants
• 19th January 2004
  • SEA backs NIPSA strikers
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