Western Rail Corridor is a 'priority', says Iarnród Eireann chairman

Western Rail Corridor is a 'priority', says Iarnród Eireann chairman

The chairman of the board of Iarnród Éireann has said the extension of the Western Rail Corridor is a “priority" 

Speaking on the Pat Kenny Show on Newstalk last week, Steve Murphy reiterated that the preservation of the Western Rail Corridor as a railway is a priority for the railway company.

“The extension of the Western Rail Corridor as a railway is absolutely our priority," he said, adding that the extension of the corridor from Collooney in Co Sligo to Claremorris is “crucial". 

"We think it’s a crucial build on the success of the existing Western Rail Corridor that I remember working on 20 years ago when I was here in an operational role. So that’s very much our priority."

Mr Murphy also spoke optimistically about future plans for Ireland’s railways, including the doubling of track in various parts of the country, the acquisition of additional rolling stock and the modification of locomotives to work on hydrogen.

He paid particular tribute to outgoing chief executive Jim Meade for his "outstanding contribution" to the development of Ireland’s railways in recent years.

Mr Murphy’s comments have been welcomed by campaigners for the re-opening of the rail corridor.

“We welcome the clarification by the chairman of the board of Iarnród Éireann,” said Colmán Ó Raghallaigh, of West on Track, which has been actively lobbying for the re-opening of the Western Rail Corridor.

The Government has committed to re-opening the Mayo to Galway section from Claremorris to Athenry and there have been calls to extend the project to include the 47-mile section linking Collooney in Co Sligo with Claremorris.

Despite a local greenway campaign, the Department of Transport has said no greenway will be developed on the disused corridor in Sligo.

Previously, Mr Meade had indicated that the rail line from Collooney to Claremorris would be for rail traffic and not for anything else.

“We are not opposed to the development of greenways as long as they are developed a safe distance from the railway,” Mr O Raghallaigh remarked.

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