High speed trains between Belfast and Dublin have moved one step closer.

Train journeys between the two cities now take around two and half hours because of slower speed limits on parts of the track, and are not much faster than taking the bus.

But it is hoped time on the tracks could be drastically cut with a high speed upgrade.

Belfast City Council's Growth and Regeneration Committee have agreed to £30,000 funding, alongside three other councils, for a full feasibility study of the project.

The unopposed decision followed the delivery of a report on the idea at last week's meeting.

Some of the benefits outlined include economic growth, new jobs and a much shorter commute time along what is described as the Belfast to Dublin economic corridor.

Now the extra funding just needs to be approved when Belfast City Council meets on February 4.

West Belfast Sinn Fein Councillor Ciaran Beattie said: "A one hour journey time between Belfast and Dublin will be a game changer in terms of investment and employment.

"It was agreed to move forward with a feasibility study on a Belfast-Dublin high speed rail link - a transformational step change in rail journey time is required and we will be working hard to advance this."

James McVeigh submitted the motion to establish the high speed rail network between the two cities in 2016.

It was seconded by Alliance Party councillor Michael Long.

At the time Sinn Fein was pressing for Belfast City Council to ask Europe for around £3billion in funding for the project before Northern Ireland was pulled out of the EU.

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