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West=On=Track
-News
Cross-Party Support to complete Western Rail Corridor
Press Release Oct 5th 2009
The Government was strongly urged to maintain their commitment to completing the Western Rail Corridor as set out in transport 21 and the National Development Plan at a meeting of the Western Inter-County Railway Committee which took place on Friday the 18th of September in Aras an Chontae, Castlebar. The committee were high in their praise of Iarnrod Eireaan and of works completed on the 35 mile section from Ennis to Athenry due to open in December 2009. Newly re-elected chairman Councillor Michael McGreal (Roscommon) stated that “the investment required between now and 2011 to maintain the works schedule is €15 million per annum. This represents a very modest investment in the context of public transport and the socio economic impact that the rail corridor will generate. Studies undertaken have shown that a sustainable demand exists to support the new passenger and freight rail services proposed,” and he added that “ based on the 16,000 truck load equivalent rail freight traffic already generated between Mayo and Waterford which is diverted by necessity for the time-being through the Greater Dublin Area, the lines viability and profitability, once extended to Claremorris in 2014, is assured”.
Members decided that this issue will be raised on the agenda of every County Council in the region. Public representatives from all parties on the Western seaboard are united in supporting the Government in maintaining commitment to this project.
Fr. Micheal MacGreil, SJ, re-elected joint Secretary to the committee reiterated that “in a time of economic recession investment in worthy infrastructure is to be highly commended. In this case the amount of state investment is quite small and provides real value for money because the thoroughfare has been preserved in public ownership. The basic cost is minimal, at an estimated €2 million per mile as compared with €16 million per mile plus for new railways in other parts of the country.”
The meeting unanimously rejected the recommendations contained in the An Bord Snip Nua report, which suggested that there should be no further development of the Western Rail Corridor and Closure of the Ballina Branch. |
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