Brexit a ‘game changer’ for Western Rail Corridor - Councillor

Anton McNulty

A MAYO County Councillor believes that Britain leaving the custom union will be a ‘game changer’ in extending the Western Rail Corridor into Mayo.
Representatives from Iarnród Éireann will make a presentation at this afternoon’s monthly meeting of Mayo County Council and Sinn Féin councillor Gerry Murray intends on raising with them the future of the Western Rail Corridor (WRC).
At present the WRC only operates from Ennis to Athenry and plans to extend the line to Claremorris were shelved due to the downturn of the economy. There has been no plans to resurrect the project but Cllr Murray is optimistic that Brexit will lead to the line being reopened for cargo.
He told The Mayo News that with Britain pulling out of the custom union, exporters to the continent will be looking for quicker access to the continent. He said Waterford port would be the most likely destination point for exporters and he feels will inevitably lead to the reopening of the WRC from Sligo.
“The Western Rail Corridor is very much back on the agenda and Brexit is a game changer for it. With Britain leaving the custom union, exporters will not want to enter Britain and have to deal with the red tape to deal to enter the continent. Instead of having to go through Dublin more freight will go through Waterford. The officials in the Department of Transport know that Britain leaving the custom union this will be a game changer and there is only one way to go,” he said.

Study
A recent study by the Western Development Commission identified a four-fold growth potential in rail freight traffic in Mayo that currently stands at over 1,100 freight trains from Mayo annually.
Cllr Murray said that he expects the Athenry to Claremorris line to be reopened to freight within the next few years before being eventually opened for public transport.
He added that funding for the project will be available from the European Commission through its low carbon transport initiative which looks to promote low carbon transport like rail.  
Phase one of the WRC from Ennis to Athenry has come under severe criticism from national commentators who say it is not viable nor is the continued extension of the line.
However, supporters pointed out to the recent National Rail Census by the National Transport Authority found 1,147 journeys took place on the Galway-Limerick Rail service on Rail Census Day 2015 as signs the public were using it.
Overall, the Galway to Limerick route carried more than 300,000 passengers in 2015 while 102,000 passengers were carried between Ennis and Athenry.