O’Brien gives strong backing to rail corridor re-opening
Cllr Patsy O'Brien has called for signage between Carnacon and ballygarries
Independent candidate in the upcoming general election, Cllr Patsy O'Brien, has said the Western Rail Corridor can provide certainty for the region in terms of boosting the economy, connectivity and the environment over the coming decades.
Cllr O’Brien insists a re-opened rail corridor can attract further foreign direct investment and thousands more tourists.
Plans to reopen the Claremorris to Athenry link are part of an overhaul of the country's rail system.
Pointing to a 13% increase in passengers to and from Ballyhaunis Train Station in 2024, Cllr O'Brien says the shift towards rail travel is obvious.
“The completion of the Claremorris to Athenry line can be a game-changer for Mayo that will unlock the potential of the region in terms of significantly boosting enterprise and job creation and improving connectivity that will enhance tourism and access to hospitals in the West,” says Cllr O'Brien. “People in Mayo are very eager and willing to use rail as the increase at Ballyhaunis Train Station where nearly 49,000 journeys have been recorded so far this year, a rise of over 5,000 on total journeys recorded in the whole of 2023, shows.”
It has been estimated the next phase of the Western Rail Corridor project can potentially be constructed within four years, linking Tuam, Westport, Ballina, Castlebar and Claremorris to Galway, Limerick, Cork and Waterford.
The Hollymount-based councillor insists the section linking Mayo and Galway is a short-term project which should be completed as soon as possible with a further extension to Kiltimagh, Swinford, Charlestown (to serve Ireland West Airport), Tubbercurry and Collooney.
Last July, the Western Rail Corridor project between Claremorris and Athenry was included in the All-Island Strategic Rail Review (AISRR) and the announcement was warmly welcomed by Cllr O’Brien.
“There was huge positivity when the All-Island Strategic Rail Review (AISRR) recommended the re-opening of the rail line from Galway to Claremorris in July, but we must now make the most of this unique opportunity,” Cllr O’Brien says.
There is a commitment to complete the Claremorris to Athenry section, however, the Government has yet to approve the reopening of the full line, which Cllr O’Brien insist must be prioritised.
“Ireland West Airport Knock is quite rightly regarded as one of the best airports in Ireland and Europe in terms of convenience and passenger queue times and extending the Western Rail Corridor to connect to the airport and then to county Sligo is the logical next step which can bring fantastic benefits to the wider region,” he adds.
The Western Rail Corridor was also added to the EU's Ten-T Network last December, a funding stream and policy aimed at putting in place high-quality transport infrastructure across the EU.
A report published earlier this year estimated a journey time of 70 minutes between Claremorris and Sligo is achievable on the restored line (allowing for a 120 km/hour line speed), while a two-hour, 10-minute journey may be possible between Galway and Sligo.
Cllr O'Brien believes independents will have a big say in the formation of the next government and the next administration must be ambitious in terms of enhancing and expanding the rail network.
“The re-opening of the Mayo-to-Galway rail link for passengers and freight will have a hugely positive impact and I will be pushing for another phase taking it to Ireland West Airport Knock and into Sligo to be completed,” he says. “There has been a notable increase in congestion on the roads in many of our large towns in Mayo and into and around Galway city and the Western Rail Corridor will improve connectivity and shorten journey times.”
Cllr O'Brien insists a rise in fuel costs has been an issue for motorists and the Western Rail Corridor will provide a very welcome alternative and more environmentally friendly way to travel.
An Irish Exporters Association seminar recently heard the reinstated Limerick to Foynes rail link, which is set to be open by early 2026, will be the first step in delivering a 14-fold increase in goods being moved by rail in Ireland by the end of the next decade.
