Minister to address rail conference

Minister to address Western Rail and Development conference


Anton McNulty

THE Minister for Transport, Noel Dempsey (pictured) will give the keynote address at the West on Track/Western Development Commission conference in Claremorris this Friday where he is expected to reiterate the Government’s support of the Western Rail Corridor.
The future of the Western Rail Corridor has come under significant scrutiny in recent time with calls from economists for the funding to be taken away from the project. Under Transport 21, the Western Rail Corridor is expected to arrive in Claremorris in 2014 and the Ennis to Athenry line - which will link Galway to Limerick for the first time in 30 years - is expected to open later this year.
Up to 500 representatives from groups from all over the west are expected to attend the conference which will take place in the McWilliam Park Hotel commencing at Friday morning, May 1 at 10.30am. Speaking to The Mayo News, Colman Ó Raghallaigh of West on Track said it significant that Minister Dempsey was taking time off his schedule to speak at the conference and was optimistic that he will announce something positive regarding the Western Rail Corridor.
“We are expecting the Minister to reiterate the Government’s support for the Western Rail Corridor and that the planning for the next stage from Tuam to Claremorris will commence this year. We are also hopeful that the building of the Athenry to Tuam line will start next year,” he said.