West=On=Track
-News
Minister announces
expansion plans for Ceannt Station,
Galway
22nd February
2007
Transport Minister, Martin Cullen TD was in Galway today
announced details, together with CIÉ Chairman Dr.
John Lynch, of a CIÉ proposal for the development and
expansion of Galway's Ceannt Railway Station and for
improvements in both Irish Rail and Bus Éireann
services in the Galway area.
The redevelopment of Ceannt Station proposes developing
the 5.7 hectare CIÉ station site, with the aim of
delivering a new urban city quarter for Galway - Ceannt
Station Quarter. A transport interchange is an integral part
of the suggested euro1 billion investment programme with
plans to develop three full-length platforms (allowing for
intercity and commuter service expansion); 25 dedicated bus
bays, and enhanced car parking facilities (for public
transport users). Eight hundred residential units, including
social and affordable housing are also part of the city
quarter plan. Cultural and community facilities also
form part of the scheme.
Speaking today about the proposed plan for the new
station quarter, Minister Cullen said: "The new, expanded
and integrated transport facilities envisaged in the
CIÉ plan will support much improved public transport
services in terms of capacity and ease of use. Good
quality facilities of the type proposed are essential to
attract more users to public transport".
"It will be important in developing and taking forward
the planning proposals outlined here today, that CIÉ
consult widely with local and regional authorities and
development interests to ensure that the proposed
redevelopment of the station integrates well with local and
regional development plans".
In relation to rail provision, seven Iarnród
Éireann services operate each way between Galway and
Dublin each weekday. Passenger numbers on the route have
grown to 1.5m in 2006. Services are set to improve with 150
new Government-funded rail cars due to arrive in Ireland
from Korea in March. Minister Cullen said: "The entry into
service of these new rail cars over 2007 and 2008 (serving
all the main intercity routes) will enable Iarnród
Éireann to increase services on the Galway/Dublin
line to 10 per day with hourly services at peak time and
two-hourly services off peak".
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