Waiting in hope Colman Ó Raghallaigh and Martin Cunniffe, West on Track, Sal Higgins, retired gatekeeper, Martin Loughnane, retired train driver and Tommy Whelan, retired signalman on the old railway line in Claremorris. Pic: Keith Heneghan/Phocus
On the doorsteps Corridor of power Western Rail Corridor
Austin Garvin austingarvin@mayonews.ie
THE last two months have been an unprecedented success for all involved with Ireland West Airport Knock, so much so that the future of what is regarded as Mayo’s most important infrastructural asset, looks secure long into the future.
That thought is indeed comforting for the travelling Mayo public but another piece of infrastructure which is generating huge debate ahead of Election 2007 is the Western Rail Corridor.
And leading that debate has been the West on Track group, which has fought long and hard to have the railway line restored all the way from Limerick to Claremorris and eventually to Collooney.
Their campaign is driven by a desire to see something restored that they feel is a right as well as an absolute necessity. It is difficult to dispute the arguments they present so articulately, and which they back up with thoroughly researched facts and figures that bear up to the closest scrutiny.
While their proposals have generally found favour across the board, the oft-asked question is why has the Government given a date of eight years from now before the Claremorris to Tuam section of the line is to be opened? Will this lack of urgency backfire on the current Government?
One of the prime movers behind the campaign is Claremorris man Colmán Ó Raghallaigh, who is adamant that the Government should bring the project forward immediately.
“People in Mayo find it difficult to understand why we have to wait another eight years for the completion of what is an immediate necessity. If the Government gave the go-ahead for the Tuam/Claremorris line it too could be finished in two years,” he points out.
Referring to the congestion on the Galway–Claremorris road, he cites a survey carried out by Galway County Council which found that over 10,000 vehicles travel on the one-lane road each day. If the railway line were in place this congestion could be alleviated. He also argues for broadening the access of the line to a greater part of Mayo.
“Extending the line to Tuam means completing only a spur. If the line was extended to Claremorris then Westport, Castlebar, Ballina, Balla all the connecting lines would benefit. There are between 10,000 and 14,000 people in the vicinity of Claremorris town alone,” he adds.
Speaking on the benefits for the tourism sector, he makes an interesting observation.
“It’s proposed to run a bus service to and from Shannon to Sixmilebridge; if Claremorris was linked to Ennis it would be of enormous benefit for tourism with Americans and others coming to the general area.”
He points out that holding back the commencement date until 2014 will have a detrimental effect on the area in general. He hopes – and will continue to campaign – to have this date brought forward.
“It’s the general consensus in the county that if the Government is serious about this it should bring the railway directly to Claremorris from Tuam. Minister Martin Cullen has shown a great interest in this project and, along with Minister Eamon Ó Cuív, will be speaking in Claremorris in April at the West on Track Conference. This is a golden opportunity for the Government to announce that they are delivering this project for Mayo.”
All the recent talk of carbon emissions and the urgent need for them to be cut has also put the spotlight on the centrality of public transport to Ireland meeting its targets in this area.
“One third of pollution in this country is coming from transport. Public transport is the only way to deal with this problem. People will not leave their cars to travel longer journeys by bus as a bus does not allow a passenger to work and travel at the same time. Ireland is paying heavily in fines because we have failed to meet our carbon targets for the past number of years. We have spent enough [in fines] to build five Western Rail Corridors.”
The huge progress made at Knock Airport has shown that where there is a will there is a way.
West on Track most certainly have the will, all they now want from the Government is the way.
In Response John O'Mahony FG “I put this issue out there as one of my central priorities when I entered the race and nothing has changed. Rail travel is a huge success elsewhere in the country but the west has been ignored. The corridor straddles a lot of the area where I am canvassing in east Mayo and people want to see it opened now and not in eight years time. It could have great economic benefit for the region without a doubt.
“I have talked to Olivia Mitchell and Enda Kenny and they realise the importance of the delivery of this issue. I have no doubt Fine Gael will deliver the corridor within the term of the next government. If Bertie can deliver the Luas, then I’m quite sure Enda can deliver the Western Rail Corridor.”
Frank CHambers FF “The Government has delivered to Knock Airport and we now have to deliver on the Western Rail Corridor. It is an obvious infrastructural necessity for the county and it can complement the investment in the airport and the roads network.
“It is my view that Transport 21 must be reviewed during the term of the next government. The recent investment into Knock has to be complemented so the area can be developed as an economic hub, resulting in population growth and job creation.
“I will give a commitment that the period of delivery for the Western Rail Corridor will be reviewed if I am elected.”
