Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon has welcomed further success for the North West Transport Hub at the prestigious EU REGIOSTARS awards last night.
The Hub was successful in the category of “Enhancing Green Mobility in the Regions: European Year of Rail 2021”. This caps a winning week for the Hub as it also received an award for Best Overall Entry at the National Railway Heritage Awards in London.
The project was commended by REGIOSTARS for the multimodality, community engagement and development of civic space. The jury noted the provision of an increased rail capacity, a strong balance of services for cycling, public transport and active travel users in Derry and an encouraging modal shift from car to public transport.
Infrastructure Minister, Nichola Mallon said:
“I am absolutely delighted that the North West Multimodal Transport Hub has deservedly won a prestigious EU REGIOSTARS Award and I want to congratulate all those involved in delivering this innovative project. What a week it has been for the Hub following the success at the National Railway Heritage Awards.
“I am committed in my belief that we can connect our communities and deliver cleaner, greener, sustainable infrastructure through an increase in the use of public transport and especially by unlocking the potential our rail network can bring to our island. To do this successfully we need to invest in the right infrastructure and facilities and it is fantastic news that the innovative North West Hub has been recognised as an excellent example of us doing just that.
“I value the support received through the EU INTERREG VA programme and believe that the North West Multimodal Transport Hub showcases the benefits of building strong collaborative relationships across our island.”
Congratulating the project, Gina McIntyre Chief Executive of the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), which manages the INTERREG VA Programme, said:
“The EU INTERREG VA Programme contains a specific objective designed to support sustainable transport on both sides of the border, which is currently dominated by car usage and results in high carbon emissions. The programme provides support to projects which are creating a more coherent, integrated and sustainable cross-border travel network. The North West Multi-Modal Transport Hub is an excellent example of this and one of the largest projects to be funded under this objective of the programme.
“It is already having a significant impact by encouraging citizens, on a cross-border basis, to leave their cars at home and use more environmentally-friendly forms of transport. It will also help to protect the climate by reducing harmful greenhouse and carbon emissions, now and in the future. I was truly delighted to hear of this fantastic win for what is such a highly competitive award and would like to congratulate all of the different partners involved in the delivery of this exceptional project,” she continued.
Translink Group Chief Executive Chris Conway said:
‘‘Following the North-West Transport Hub’s success in the National Rail Heritage Awards earlier in the week, we are very proud that the facility has now won a very prestigious EU REGIOSTARS award, recognising the best in EU-funded projects.
‘‘The Hub has been successful in the topic of the year, ‘Enhancing green mobility in the regions – European Year of Rail 2021’, which recognised its’ achievement in providing increased rail capacity, provision for active and sustainable modes of travel and encouraging a much-needed modal shift in transport habits away from the private car.
‘‘This award is testament to the vision and hard work of the entire project team who have made this success possible. I want to congratulate Translink colleagues, as well as those as at Farrans/Rhomberg Sersa JV, Mott MacDonald, Consarc and everyone else involved in the project. The people of Derry~Londonderry and the wider North-West can also be proud that the Hub has won the international recognition that it deserves, illustrating the importance of railway links and heritage to the city.’’
Notes to editors:
- The REGIOSTARS Awards are a yearly competition, organized by the European Commission’s Directorate General for Regional and Urban Policy (DG REGIO). It aims to identify good practices in regional development and highlighting innovative, EU-funded projects, which could be attractive and inspiring to other regions.
- The North-West Transport Hub, which completed during 2020, is a £27m investment in public transport infrastructure in the North-West, supported by the EU’s INTERREG VA Programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), alongside significant additional support from the Department for Infrastructure, Department of Transport in the South, Derry City and Strabane District Council, Donegal County Council and Sustrans.
- The NWMMTH had been short-listed alongside four other projects under the category “Topic of the year: Enhancing Green Mobility in the Regions: European Year of Rail 2021”.
- All media queries should be directed to the Department for Infrastructure Press Office at: press.office@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk .
- The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.
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