West=On=Track -News

Rail Corridor Cycling Event Set for Saturday 28th April

Press Release 22nd April 2007 

West-on-Track in conjunction with the Slieve Aughty Cycle Club and Cancer Care West will stage a cycle following the closed part of the route of the Western Rail Corridor from Ennis to Colloney on Saturday next, 28th April 2007. The cycle will be joined by cyclists from other clubs along the route.

The cycle is scheduled to leave Ennis around 8am passing through Crusheen, Gort, Ardrahan, Craughwell, Athenry, Tuam, Milltown, Ballindine, Claremorris, Kiltimagh, Swinford, Charlestown, Tubbercurry, Colloney and Sligo. (See Map attached)

The cycle will average 15mph with feed stops at Athenry (10.45am), Claremorris (1.30pm) and Charlestown (3.30pm) with water stops at other stations. The collection for Cancer Care West will be taken up by West on Track groups along the route.

Mr. J. J. Conwell of West on Track said:

"The purpose of this cycle is to highlight the need to have this valuable piece of infrastructure reopened in its entirety and to raise badly needed funds for Cancer Care West.

People are now expecting the Government to fast-track this major project with a view to improving the whole infrastructure of the region

In the light of this country's increasing obligations on climate change there can be little doubt that the development of public transport must be to the fore from now on. In this context, it is worth noting that the amount being set aside in the current year to pay the penalties accruing from Ireland's failure to meet its climatic obligations would easily build the railway from Ennis to Claremorris. "