West=On=Track - News

Western Rail Link Is Needed Now Say Greens

Green Party Press Release 14th July 2003

The Green Party today offered its support to the campaign by the West=On=Track group for the re-opening of the Western rail link.

"Galway is the fastest growing city in Europe, with massive growth in its commuter population and in industries which need the best transport links. Unless the rail link to Sligo, Mayo, Clare and Limerick is reopened as a matter of priority, the city and county will continue to be paralysed in a web of traffic," said party regional co-ordinator Siobhan Nevin.

"Everybody has experienced the frustration and inconvenience of being caught for far too long in traffic jams and the difficulty of finding parking spaces, both in the city and in towns like Tuam," said Siobhan Nevin. "The opening of the Western rail corridor would provide people who rely on public transport, myself included, with more choice and mobility."

The Green Party supports better public transport services, especially bus and rail. The re-opening of the Western rail corridor, including commuter services to Oranmore, Tuam, Gort and Athenry, and stations in Ballindine, Milltown, Ballyglunin, Craughwell and Ardrahan, is a central plank of the party's programme.

"With the number of people moving to towns and rural areas in the county, we need to take positive steps in providing better services. An integrated transport system would be one such step," she went on, before concluding: "We already have the track. All we need is the political will to use it. I would urge people and community groups to support the campaign, if not for themselves then for County Galway and the whole West of Ireland."