The Western Rail Corridor

“Was the An Bord Snip recommendation not to complete the Western Rail Corridor an expression of ‘the tyranny of superior knowledge’ to which most people must submit without serious questioning?”
 

Micheál MacGréil

As we approach decision time in relation to cut-backs in public spending and a more equitable distribution of the tax burden, it is necessary to make a case for the continuity of capital investment in the Western Rail Corridor north of Athenry.
There is no doubt in my mind that the time has come for joint community action in support for the continuity of the restoration of the track from Athenry to Tuam immediately. A renewed campaign must continue to be all-party and constitute a united front. Concerned citizens should also be encouraged to express their support. The recent ‘Report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes’ (An Bord SNIP) has summarily dismissed the WRC above Athenry and recommended that no more funds be made available for this very important transport infrastructure. In so doing it did not give any justification for its proposal to a project that had been approved by the Government in ‘Transport 21’ and later agreed by the Programme for Government in 2007. Was this an expression of the “tyranny of superior knowledge” to which the people must submit without serious questioning? So far, it has been very disappointing not to read of a serious objection from the Board of CIE in defence of a more viable public transport (railway) system!
In a time of economic recession investment in worthy infrastructure is highly to be commended. In this case the amount of State investment is quite small and provides real value for money. Because the track and thoroughfare has been preserved, the basic cost is minimal, at an estimated €2 million a mile as compared with €16 million a mile from Dublin to Dunboyne. With the reduction in materials and labour costs due to the economic down-turn, it is most likely that the level of productivity in financial terms will be higher.
Another important factor concerning State expenditure at this time is the fact that the net cost of the project is likely to be around half the actual money paid by the exchequer. Up to one third of the wages paid are refunded through income tax and PRSI, levies, etc. VAT returns will be increased and the amount of unemployment benefits (dole and related entitlements) saved by the Government will be considerable. The cumulative amount of returns to the State reduces the actual cost of the project to at least half of the nominal grant, or very near it. What is actually required in 2010 is just €15 million to maintain the plan agreed in Transport 21 (in my opinion the net cost to the State is between €8 and €9 million).
Once the phase to Tuam is finished in 2011, the next phase will be from Tuam to Claremorris, which links the WRC to the Westport/Ballina to Dublin line. For the present however, we must all support the immediate need of going to Tuam. The total cost over two and a half years to Tuam is estimated to be less than €45 million (or net cost of €25 million!)
May I share with you a vision of the future of Irish Railways. In all probability the wind and the ocean will become a main source of electricity in the years ahead. Fossil fuels will become less acceptable and less available. The most effective way to ‘power’ public transport will be through a good network of electrified rail routes from the ocean and wind (renewable) sources. In such a situation the cross-radial railway from Rosslare to Sligo (and possibly further north to Derry), will be a major spine in the Irish rail network or web. What a realistic dream? It will raise the quality of life of our people and ensure our security for generations to come!
If we all join together now and express our support for the continuation to Tuam during 2010 and 2011, we will be seeing to it that the West of Ireland has a good future. The overall cost of the WRC is but 1.5% of the Transport 21 capital budget serving 26% of the Irish people. All we need now is the right political decision, which I am hopeful we will get.

Micheál Mac Gréil, SJ, is a well-known sociologist and Secretary of Western Inter-County Railway Committee and Patron of West-on-Track.