Calls for rail link to Mayo as Galway to Limerick service opens

Calls for rail corridor into Mayo continue as Galway to Limerick service opens


Michael Commins

THE first passenger train service between Galway and Limerick in 30 years will commence next Monday, March 29. It will be a proud day for all associated with the West on Track campaign and the first major reversal of the line closure campaign by CIE that was prevalent in the 1960’s and ‘70s.
New stations will open at Sixmilebridge, Gort, Ardrahan and Craughwell with upgrades to existing stations at Limerick, Ennis and Athenry. The linking of Galway and Limerick via rail once more is being widely welcomed around the region. It will also mean that students from Mayo and Roscommon studying in Limerick should now be able to get the train from Athenry direct to Limerick.
The West on Track Community Campaign has warmly welcomed the major statement issued last Friday and signed by civic, commercial, political, church, educational and community interests across the western region welcoming Phase 1 of the Western Rail Corridor and urging the continuation of the project.
A West on Track spokesman said: “The extraordinary consensus that exists throughout this whole region regarding the building of the rail corridor is both unique and gratifying and is a clear endorsement of the Government’s decision to open the first phase of the Western Rail Corridor which will now link Galway to Limerick by rail for the first time in over 30 years.
“We note the unanimous call that the Government would continue the good work by commencing the next phase in the current year. As pointed out in the joint statement the railway has recently been surveyed to Tuam and Claremorris and it has become clear that the cost of construction is now much less than the previously estimated figure of two million per mile and is clearly the best values for money of any project in Transport 21.
“Monday will be a good day for the West of Ireland, but the West on Track campaign is not over. The speedy delivery of the entire Western Rail Corridor in line with the Government’s commitment remains our immediate and determined priority.”
The spokesman also called on communities along the route of the Western Rail Corridor to turn out in force at their local stations on Monday, March 29 for the running of the first train along the route of the new Western Rail Corridor and to show their support for the project.
In the joint statement issued by community groups and leaders last week, it was noted that the re-opening of the Galway to Limerick line via Athenry, Gort and Ennis, would prove a major step forward for the whole western region. “We compliment the Government, Iarnród Éireann and all who have brought it about. In order to maximise the potential of the rail corridor we believe it to be imperative that the next phase should proceed without delay.
“The project is also sustaining hundreds of highly skilled jobs and supporting balanced regional development. In the light of this we urge the Government to continue the good work by commencing the next phase in the current year.”
Among those that signed the statement were almost all of the Western Regional Development groups, representatives of all County Councils in the province and also in Clare, the Bishops of Clonfert, Tuam, Galway and Killaloe, several Chambers of Commerce throughout the region, the Mayors and Cathaoirleachs of County and City Councils, various other organisations and groups, and the West on Track, Patron, Fr MicheΡl Mac Gréil.
Fr Mac Gréil, who has been associated with the rail corridor campaign for more than 20 years and was its secretary for many years said he remained optimistic the route would be completed to Tuam and from there on to Claremorris. It would be folly in the extreme not to complete the project, he said.