Councillors voice delight as works begin on rail link
Clearance works have commenced on the Western Rail Corridor at Tuam (pictured), Athenry and Claremorris.
The recent go-ahead by Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan to clear the Claremorris to Athenry rail line in preparation for the re-opening of the Western Rail Corridor has received unanimous praise from Mayo councillors.
The minister confirmed the news that the Claremorris-Athenry railway line is to be cleared, with clearance works beginning simultaneously at Athenry, Tuam and Claremorris earlier this month. The rail line has been recommended by the Cabinet for inclusion as part of Ireland’s Trans-European Transport (Ten-T) network together with the Rosslare to Waterford route.
Speaking at a meeting of Mayo County Council's Roads Strategic Policy Committee (SPC), Cllr Richard Finn, who is vice-chairman of the Western Inter-County Railway Committee, said the minister's announcement was one of the biggest pieces of positive news in Mayo in 20 years. Cllr Finn complimented the work done by West on Track and the Western Inter-County Rail Committee for many years. However, he warned that the work now needs to be fully carried through.
“Twenty years ago the Athenry-Collooney lines were cleared but nothing happened. Let’s hope it doesn’t happen for the Claremorris line,” said Cllr Finn. “It will never be a complete job until the Claremorris to Collooney line is complete. You have to link up Galway and Sligo.”
Cllr Damien Ryan said the rail corridor can be a gamechanger for the whole region. Councillors came under huge pressure to turn the rail line into a greenway but they held firm.
Cllr Neil Cruise added that the rail line will now qualify for European funding but said that he is disappointed the line is not going open to Bellaghy and on to Collooney in Co Sligo. The councillor added that there is massive potential for a link to Ireland West Airport as there is no rail connection into Dublin Airport.
“The Minister (for Transport) hasn’t gone far enough. If we get this to Knock Airport and eventually Collooney, that is the gamechanger at a fraction of the cost,” said Cllr Cruise.
In response, Cllr Ryan said Ireland West Airport will need to get the sufficient passenger capacity before it gets the rail link. Noting the current capacity issues with flights at Dublin Airport, he proposed that the committee write to National Aviation Department to detail the case for Ireland West Airport to take on extra flights.
