Nicola Grant Workers Party representative commenting today on the new hourly Belfast to Dublin train service said we should now be planning for how to maximize Newry’s potential in the Belfast to Dublin rail boom.

Nicola said the Workers Party is calling for a detailed breakdown of passenger data to determine how many travelers are stopping in Newry and what effect this is having on the local economy. Nicola said that The Workers Party understands that meaningful people-centred regeneration is only fully possible under a socialist system, but it is necessary to support the immediate struggle of working people for improvements in work and conditions. In any economic renewal that comes about as a result of the improved transport link, the Workers Party will ensure that the rights of working people are foremost. For example, twenty-seven percent of the people in the constituency are in poverty, and any benefits that come through the improved train service must be used to the benefit of those in poverty and to those who work in currently low-paid jobs in tourism.

We need to carefully examine the data to establish if passengers are using Newry as a key stop, or are they bypassing it in favor of Belfast or Dublin? With such a reported increase in rail travel, Newry could place itself in a significant position to capitalize on this trend. If more passengers were encouraged to stop and explore, it could create a major economic boost for local businesses, hospitality, and retail. Without a sustained struggle this economic boost would advantage a small number of big business owners. Other parties see this as the natural state of affairs, but the Workers Party will fight to ensure that economic benefits go to those who create the wealth, i.e., the workers.