Mayo Chambers of Commerce hit out at rail cuts

Chambers of Commerce hit out at rail cuts


Anton McNulty

THE Mayo Chambers of Commerce have come out in one voice against the recommended cuts to the rail service in Mayo claiming that new investment cannot be attracted without having the infrastructure in place.
The recommendations of An Bord Snip Nua to axe the current Manulla to Ballina and not to proceed with the Western Rail Corridor has been heavily criticised in the west. Colman Ó Raghallaigh of West-on-Track said that the chairman of An Bord Snip Nua, Colm McCarthy was not a ‘credible commentator’ on any projects west of the Shannon while Dara Calleary TD said the Manulla to Ballina line should remain.
The six Chambers of Commerce in Mayo released a joint statement where they also expressed their dissatisfaction and astonishment at the recommendations retained in the report.
“We are astonished by the recommendations contained in the report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes [An Bord Snip Nua] in relation to the completion of the Western Rail Corridor and the axing of the Manulla-Ballina railway, as this infrastructure is critical to the development of the entire West of Ireland. This north-south rail link will provide a competitive rail infrastructure for the Island of Ireland, as we recover from the current economic downturn.”
They stated that the completion of the Mayo to Galway line will restore the vital export freight corridor of Mayo-Limerick-Waterford and at less than €3 million per mile, represented excellent value for money, as well as creating hundreds of job. They said that the Western Rail Corridor would help bring investment into the region and create Balanced Regional Development while delivering on the National Spatial Strategy.
“As a country, we cannot continue to shed jobs at such a high rate,” they concluded.