West=On=Track -News

West on Track welcomes commitment to continue Western Rail Corridor

Press Release Oct 10th 2009 

The West on Track Community Campaign warmly welcomes the announcement today in the joint programme for Government that work is to continue on the subsequent phases of the Western Rail Corridor and Navan rail projects for earliest possible delivery.

According to the agreed programme the ratio of expenditure on new Transport 21 projects between public transport and the national roads programme will be 2:1 in favour of public transport.

We also warmly welcome the decision to introduce an allowance per tonne for rail freight in line with climate change objectives. Currently much of Ireland’s rail freight originates in the west. This growing and profitable business for Iarnród Éireann will avail of the direct Western Rail Corridor route to Waterford once the Claremorris link is re-established.

"Today’s announcement is another welcome indication that both parties in the Government are intent on pressing ahead with the WRC project as part of the Transport 21 programme," said a WOT spokesman.

"Now that the Government has announced its intention to proceed with the subsequent phases of the Western Rail Corridor we are confident that the sections to Tuam and Claremorris will continue without delay. This will ensure that the re-opened Phase 1 of the corridor will have the maximum impact in terms of passenger numbers and freight giving excellent value for money to the state."

The first phase of the Western Rail Corridor is scheduled to open in December and will see the reintroduction of intercity services between Galway and Limerick as well as commuter services into both cities.