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The line between Knockmore Jct and Antrim opened in 1871 with intermediate stations, halts and calling places at Brookmount, Brookhill. Meeting House, Ballinderry, Legatiriff, Glenavy, Crumlin, Aldergrove and Millar’s Bridge. It closed to passengers in 1960 but remained open for cross-Border freight trains to/from Londonderry. A local passenger service, from Lisburn to Antrim serving Ballinderry, Glenavy and Crumlin, was restored in 1974. The signal cabin and junction at Knockmore Jct closed in 1977 with the opening of a third line to Lisburn which included a Knockmore halt at the Ballinderry Road, Lisburn.
Belfast – Londonderry/Portrush trains were diverted to the line in 1978 and used it until 2001. A local passenger service remained until 2003. The line is now “mothballed” with no immediate prospect of re-opening (September 2011).
A Translink press release dated 11 August 2014 included the following: “As part of the works, FP McCann have been carrying out sleeper replacement and fitting insulated block joints, installing new drainage systems and undertaking structural repairs to existing culverts along the line section. Oliver Watts, Project Manager, Translink said, “The main outcome of these works will be to ensure the on-going serviceability of the branch line for safe operational use as a diversion route in the event of an emergency or planned engineering works’. We would remind the public to keep safe and avoid trespassing or to enter the railway environment at all times. Work on the line is expected to be completed in November.”

The following is a quotation from a Translink press release dated 16 July 2014: “Translink NI Railways has advised residents living near the site of the former South Eastern Regional College off the Knockmore Road that it will commence the demolition of the old buildings on Monday 28th July. The company plans to develop a new railway halt and Park & Ride for West Lisburn on the site, with secure parking for approximately 400 cars.
Louise Sterritt, Project Manager, Translink said, “The Park & Ride project is currently at feasibility stage. A planning application for the project is still to be submitted and full funding is yet to be secured. It is expected that construction works for the Park and Ride will commence between late 2015 and early 2016, but this will be subject to funding being secured and planning permission being granted.
The work will be carried out by Cleary Contracting Ltd and prior to commencement, the site will be secured. All works will take place during normal working hours and there will be steps in place to ensure noise disruption is minimised. Access to the site will be off the existing entrance on Knockmore Road and demolition works should be completed by the end of September 2014. While we do not anticipate noise disruption, we have provided residents with contact numbers for the contractors.”
The site is the subject of the following application for planning permission (17 December 2014) “S/2014/0884/F Proposed new rail halt and park and ride facility (incorporating platforms footbrige [sic] ticket office staff facility on footbridge, 350no standard car parking spaces 22no disabled parking spaces, 2no electric car charging points and bus turning area) including associated ancillary works Land East of Knockmore Road South of no 68-80 Addison Park and No's 8-10 Knockmore Road and North of Flush Park Lisburn”.
The drawings available on the NI planning portal show the present Antrim line moved a short distance to the north, a new island platform between it and the down line and a new platform on the up line. All three are connected to the car park by an enclosed footbridge incorporating a booking office.