West=On=Track -News

Growing optimism that Tuam will soon be back on rail map

Tuam Herald - 25th August 2005

CAMPAIGNERS for the re-opening of the Western Rail Corridor from Sligo to Ennis are confident that the go-ahead for the project is to be announced in the near future.

It is expected that the first phase of the development will see Tuam station reopened as the rail link between Claremorris and Ennis is developed.

This would leave the way open for a Tuam to Galway commuter service branching off at Athenry and running into the city via Oranmore and the planned Ardaun Corridor city expansion.

The second phase of the Rail Corridor plan would involve redeveloping the closed line between Collooney outside Sligo and Claremorris.

Many of those campaigning for the Western Rail Corridor would prefer to see the project given the green-light in its entirety but there is a general consensus that the two-phased approach will be accepted.

Hopes have been raised following the favourable and supportive response to the rail corridor proposal in the McCann report which was commissioned by the Government to look into the viability of the proposal.

The Western Inter-County Railway Committee, at a meeting in Tuam recently, discussed the McCann Report on the Western Rail Corridor. The various comments and recommendations were examined.

The following was agreed unanimously by the members present:

The McCann Report was welcomed as a significant and supportive document for the re-opening of the Western Rail Corridor from Collooney to Ennis which would be a most valuable transport infrastructure and would provide concrete proof of the State's commitment to balanced regional development.

It was agreed at the Tuam meeting to back the two-phase option and a recommendation was made that the Claremorris to Ennis phase be undertaken first, followed by the Collooney to Claremorris phases.

It was also agreed during this construction of Phase One (i.e from Claremorris to Ennis) CIE would carry out the work of renewing the fencing, clearing the overgrowth from the track and re-opening the drains on the section of the line from Collooney to Claremorris.

It was decided that the above response would be communicated to the Government and made known to the public.