West=On=Track -News

Taoiseach Confirms Western Rail Corridor to be Built Directly to Claremorris

Press Release 10th May 2007 

Speaking in Claremorris this morning (Thursday 10.5.07) An Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern T.D. confirmed that Phase 1 of the Western Rail Corridor is to be built directly to Claremorris as one project and that following the scheduled completion of Phase One of the project from Ennis to Athenry in 2008, the roll-out of the project will continue immediately to Tuam and Claremorris.

Speaking to reporters Mister Ahern said he was happy to confirm the undertaking given by the Minister for Transport, Mr. Cullen to a West on Track delegation some weeks ago. At that meeting with West on Track, Minister Cullen had said that he did not favour a stop-start approach to the delivery of the project and that he believed that the connection to Claremorris would be more than viable.

Commencing a series of engagements in Claremorris, the Taoiseach visited Claremorris railway station and later posed for photographs in the Westside Business Park, beside the Claremorris - Galway line, which is to be re-opened as part of the corridor.

A spokesman for West on Track said that the Taoiseach's statement was a clear and unequivocal commitment that the work which has already commenced on the railway between Ennis and Athenry will be completed by next year and that the project will then be continued directly to Tuam and Claremorris.