Sligo councillors are urged to push for rail corridor project

A Mayo councillor has urged the county to support its neighbours in Sligo and push for progress on the re-opening of the Claremorris to Collooney railway line.

A recent meeting of Sligo County Council saw cross-party political support for the railway re-opening as part of the Western Rail Corridor project. This follows on from a decision taken by Sligo County Council last month to suspend any further work on the proposed greenway project between Collooney and Bellaghy, which was planned to be housed on the disused railway line. This decision was taken after Iarnród Eireann advised that it could not support the use of the disused railway for the greenway.

Claremorris-based councillor and vice-chair of the Western Intercounty Rail Committee, Richard Finn, said the 47-mile route linking Claremorris to Collooney and Sligo is an integral part of the overall jigsaw.

“It’s a vital part of the overall infrastructure of the North-South Corridor. We need to support Sligo County Council in every effort they make to ensure the Claremorris to Collooney side is opened. It will improve the connection between Sligo, Galway, and Limerick. It’s in all our interests that this is sorted out,” said Cllr Finn.

He argued that the costs involved are not prohibitive.

“We are constantly promoting on a positive basis the Claremorris-Sligo route. It’s only going to cost €400m overall, and when you take into account that the Government had a surplus of €13 billion - and the cost of the Luas project - it’s small fry in the grand scheme of things.” 

Cllr Finn said the project would be of huge benefit to the region and Ireland West Airport.

“It brings our connectivity north of Claremorris. We have the main airport in the west of Ireland in this county and we need to continue this project in order to progress the airport,” he stated.

There has been criticism of political representatives in the West and North-West for not shouting louder about the continuation of the corridor following approval of the Athenry to Claremorris line.

“It’s important that Sligo County Council put out the boat on this and it’s important that they fight for this,” said Cllr Finn.

“The board of Ireland West Airport said the development of the Western Rail Corridor onwards from Sligo to Claremorris with sustainable connectivity from Charlestown to the airport would significantly contribute to the future sustainable development of ground transportation to and from Ireland West Airport.

“IDA client companies, the Chamber of Commerce, manufacturers, small and medium-sized enterprises and those involved in the agricultural and food production sector, in Sligo and Mayo, are all seeking the reopening of the Western Rail Corridor," Cllr Declan Bree told the recent monthly meeting of Sligo County Council.

“This is our opportunity to make history,” said Cllr Thomas Healy.