Minister Ryan confirms plans to clear Claremorris-Athenry rail line

MAYO Fine Gael TD Alan Dillon has welcomed the commitment by the Minister for Transport to instruct Irish Rail to complete the clearance of the Claremorris to Athenry rail line.

Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan confirmed during questions in the Dáil on Thursday that he has asked Irish Rail to see if they can start clearing the Claremorris to Athenry line this winter and it should be done with 'speed and urgency'.

“I have asked Irish Rail if it can start clearing the line. That obviously requires certain budget provisions. The timing would be difficult. It has to be completed before March. I have asked Irish Rail to do that because it is important that we give a signal to businesses in the west of Ireland that we are in business on the western rail corridor,” Minister Ryan stated.

The all-island strategic rail review recommended that reinstatement of the western rail corridor from Athenry to Claremorris via Tuam be commenced by 2030 with the project to cost between €400 million and €600 million.

Mayo TD Alan Dillon welcomed the Minister's comments in relation to the reopening of the Western Rail Corridor saying that the project was important for industry along the west coast.

“The Minister for Transport's instruction to Irish Rail in clearing the Claremorris to Athenry rail line signals a significant step forward towards the reactivation of Western Rail Corridor Phases 2 and 3. These developments are essential in meeting the escalating demand for both rail freight and commuter services.

“In recent months, over 12 major global companies in the West have urged the Minister for a rail freight service to achieve their carbon emission targets. The line's strategic significance, linking into our main deep-sea ports, cannot be emphasised enough. Taking steps to instruct Irish Rail to complete the clearance of the line by the end of March sends a strong message that both businesses and the government are committed to the reopening of this crucial route,” he said.

Minister Ryan also gave a commitment to ask Transport Infrastructure Ireland to adhere to the planning conditions of the development of the M17 to replace the bridge at Ballyglunin, Co Galway which was demolished as part of the building of the M17 motorway.

In relation to the Collooney to Claremorris line, Minister Ryan said the all-island rail review did not recommend it reopening and added 'I do not think we should give false promises'.

“The preserving of the line is a separate matter, whether that is in the form of a greenway or making sure, as Deputy [Eamon] Ó Cuív said, that if there was a change in subsequent years where the line became viable, that the capability to use it is retained. That is not an easy issue in my mind with regard to the Collooney to Claremorris line. We will look at that with regard to how the line might be preserved,” he stated.