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Positive mood as West on Track Celebrates 10 years

Press Release Monday May 13th 2013

L-R Collr Peter Feeney Athenry, Paddy McGuinness Western Development Commission, Archbishop Michael Neary, Collr Eamonn Kitt, Mayor of Tuam, Howard Knott, Irish Exporters Association, Gerry Finn, BMW Assembly.

Members of the West on Track Community Campaign from across the region attended a special West on Track Seminar in the Ardrí Hotel, Tuam on Saturday last to mark the 10th Anniversary of the foundation of West on Track.

L-R Deputy Micheal Kitt TD Leas Ceann Comhairle, Martin Cunniffe Claremorris Chamber, Deputy John O’Mahony TD.

The event which coincided with the Tuam 400 Celebrations was officially opened by the Mayor of Tuam, Collr. Eamonn Kitt.

L-R Paddy McGuinness Western Development Commission, Archbishop Michael Neary, Collr Eamonn Kitt, Mayor of Tuam, Fr. Micheal MacGreil, Howard Knott, Irish Exporters Association.

Speakers included Mr. Paddy McGuinness WDC, Mr. Gerry Finn BMW Assembly, Collr. Peter Feeney and Fr. Mícheál Mac Gréil West on Track.

L-R Collr Pete Roche Tuam, Chris Joyce Milltown, Sarah Roarty Tuam.

The attendance also included Archbishop Michael Neary, Leas Ceann Comhairle Deputy Micheal Kitt TD, Deputy Paul Connaughton TD, Deputy John O’Mahony TD as well as many councillors from across the west.

Collr Eamonn Kitt, Mayor of Tuam

Members viewed a presentation on the potential of the Tuam-Galway Commuter Rail link and heard that Oranmore railway station which is part of Phase 1 of the Western Rail corridor project is expected to open in July, with Crusheen station to follow in 2014.

Clare delegates: L-R Collr. Michael Kelly, Sean Keahan, Michael O’Doherty & James Barry

The keynote address was given by Mr. Howard Knott of the Irish Exporters Association who predicted that the Western Rail Corridor would play a major role in the development of the rail freight business in Ireland over the next number of years. Describing the corridor as a vital link in the state’s public transport infrastructure he pointed to the continuing growth of rail freight as the most efficient method of moving goods in the future to ports such as Waterford and Foynes which is to be reconnected to the rail network including the Western Rail Corridor.

L-R Sligo delegates: Collr Michael Flemming, Ronan Walsh, Helen Rochford Brennan, Paul O’Connor and Peter Bowen Walsh.

The reopening of the Claremorris-Athenry section of the line for freight traffic would be of enormous benefit to economic development in the west, allowing businesses to move their goods competitively and directly to southern ports.

L-R Sean Keahan (Crusheen), Collr Michael Connolly (Tuam), Collr Eamonn Kitt, Mayor of Tuam, Frank Dawson Co. Manager Roscommon, Collr. Tom Reilly (Tuam), Leas Ceann Comhairle Deputy Micheal Kitt TD.

L-R Michael Comer (Swinford), Martin Cunniffe Claremorris Chamber, Collr Sean Canney (Tuam).

L-R Pat Ginnelly (Claremorris) Colm Casey and Jimmy Flynn Claremorris Chamber.

L-R Gerry McGarry (Ballyhaunis) Sarah Roarty (Tuam), Michael Fox (Swinford), Bill Cunningham (Roscommon).

L-R Peter Bowen Walsh (Collooney) & Collr. Peter Feeney (Athenry)

Consultants' Recommendations regarding development of the Western Rail Corridor

AECOM/Goodbody Strategic Rail Investments Needs Review

The AECOM/Goodbody Strategic Rail Investments Needs Review was presented at Rail Vision 2030, a seminar on the future of rail transport in Ireland in Dublin on Wednesday 22nd February 2012, which was attended by representatives of West on Track. This major report into the future strategy for the national rail network recommended that improvements in speeds and capacity on Intercity lines, including the Limerick-Galway route, be prioritized.

The AECOM/Goodbody report confirms that there has been strong growth on the Athenry-Galway section since the Limerick-Galway services were introduced 2 years ago. The Ennis-Limerick section remains strong and there will be further growth once Oranmore opens next year. People will then be in a better position to look at how well Phase 1 of the WRC is performing in its totality.

The report makes the following observations re Phase 1 of the railway:

"The Western Rail corridor opened to business during 2010, and provides direct InterCity connections between Galway and Limerick. Nevertheless, whilst commuting demand from its catchment into Galway and Limerick is strong, the level of intercity travel is very low, and central sections of the line remain lightly trafficked"

The consultants then give their view as to why this is the case:

"It does not offer consistency within the InterCity network, having no capability for seat reservations, promotional tickets and catering."

They go on to make the following proposals:

• 11.1 Upgrade all services to inter-city branding with seat reservations, advance purchases and catering.
• 11.2 Increase frequency to 8 trains per day.
• 12.1 Introduce 5 direct services per day from Cork – Limerick – Galway as an extension of the Western Rail Corridor.

Comments by AECOM:

"The key proposal for this route is therefore to introduce consistency with other InterCity services. The increase in service frequency is proposed as a measure to stimulate more intercity demand."

The above comments by consultants engaged by IÉ themselves and launched in the presence of Minister Varadkar, mirror exactly the views of West on Track on Phase 1 of the railway.

Significantly, the consultants added that consideration should now be given to reopening the railway from Tuam to Athenry/Galway as a commuter route.

Press Release from West on Track, Thursday 19th Jan, 2012

• News Flash - "Lies, Damned Lies and Statistics
  Download press release as PDF file.

Tuam takes its First Step to a bright Rail Future

Monday September 27th marked the official 150th anniversary of the opening of the Tuam-Athenry railway. Over the previous 16 days Tuam station was transformed thanks to a magnificent effort from more than 170 members of the local community. All resources, both physical and financial were donated free by the community.

The press and local people turned out in force, along with senior Irish Rail management, Minister Éamon Ó Cuiv and local government representatives. The Minister confirmed that IÉ has allocated euro1.9million for the design and development work of Tuam - Athenry and that a project manager, Mr James Kenny, had been appointed.

See more photos here.

Phase 1 of Western Rail Corridor now operational

After a gap of over 30 years and following a long campaign by West on Track, rail services between Limerick and Galway recommenced on Tuesday 30th March. The new route which is Phase 1 of the Western Rail Corridor was officially launched on 29th March 2010 and full schedules are now in operation. (See photos, details below).

Fares (Cost per Day Return)

Gort Railway Station, County Galway (see more photos down the page)

Phase 1 Limerick-Galway

Phase 1 of the Western Rail Corridor was officially launched on 29th March 2010 and full schedules are in operation as of 30th March with very promising passenger numbers reported.

Phase 2 of Western Rail Corridor

Following a complete survey by Iarnród Éireann of the railway from Athenry to Claremorris in January 2010, costings are currently in preparation to enable the commencement of work on Phase 2 of the Western Rail Corridor from Athenry to Tuam later this year. This second phase of the railway is scheduled to reopen in 2011.

Overview Of Project

The first phase of the WRC renewal will:

• Deliver direct Galway to Limerick services, timed to meet commuter needs
• Serve Limerick, Ennis, Athenry and Galway; and new stations at Sixmilebridge, Gort, Ardrahan, Craughwell
• Expand commuter links to Limerick and Galway
• Promote balanced regional development, in line with National Spatial Strategy objectives, by linking two Gateways - Limerick and Galway - and serving the hub of Ennis

The investment project delivered by Iarnród Éireann has involved:

• renewal of 36 miles of track, including all necessary fencing and drainage and installation of points and crossings at Gort and Ennis
• a 90m platform with furniture, signage, shelter, Automatic Ticket Vending Machine, lighting, car park, PA, Customer Information Systems, help point and CCTV provision at Sixmilebridge, Gort, Ardrahan and Craughwell. These stations will also be accessible to the mobility impaired
• At Ennis and Athenry stations, PA, Customer Information Systems, help point and CCTV has been provided
• Repair and improvement work has been undertaken on bridges on the route to allow rail services to operate:
  • modernised signalling systems
  • improvement to level crossings, and elimination where practicable

Services

The service will launch with five services in each direction, Monday to Saturday, serving all stations en route, with four services each way on Sundays.

Services will operate from 30th March according to the timetable you can download here as a PDF file.

Holiday in the West of Ireland

Ireland Accommodation