Two Government ministers appear to be at odds over the future of the Western Rail Corridor between Athenry and Claremorris.
While Transport Minister Shane Ross has said an independent costing and review of the WRC between the two counties, Minister Ciarán Cannon, Fine Gael TD for Galway East, said there will never be trains on that line “in any of our lifetimes”.
Phase II runs from Athenry to Tuam and Phase III on to Claremorris.
Meanwhile, campaigners in favour of turning the ten-mile stretch of track between Athenry and Tuam into a greenway, have accused the Government of simply ‘kicking the can down the road’.
Fianna Fáil TD Éamon Ó Cuív asked Minister Ross last week on his plans for the future of rail transport between Mayo and Galway City.
In a written question, Deputy Ó Cuív asked the Minister “his plans to commence the independent review of the western rail corridor as promised in the programme for Government and in the national development plan 2018 to 2027 as part of the Atlantic economic corridor”.
He also asked: “If the development of commuter rail from County Mayo and Tuam to Galway City will form part of the review in addition to intercity services and freight connections; if the terms of reference of the review will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter.”
The Minister replied that the Department of Transport is currently making arrangements for the review of the WRC.
“The Programme for a Partnership Government includes a commitment to provide for an independent costing and review of the WRC Phase II between Athenry and Claremorris for passenger and freight use.
“The National Development Plan, which was published with the National Planning Framework, restates this commitment.
“As the Deputy is aware, the Programme for a Partnership Government also commits that no measures will be taken to prevent the future reactivation of the corridor for rail use. Arrangements for the proposed independent review of WRC are currently being considered by my Department,” said Minister Ross.
The National Development Plan – which outlines a €116 billion spending programme over the next decade – states that Phase II and III “could play and important role in the Atlantic Economic Corridor”.
“The extension of the WRC could increase passenger, tourist and commercial use. In line with the Programme for Government, an independent review will be untaken immediately. If the findings of the review are approved by Government, the project will be prioritised during this plan,” the Development Plan reads.
Meanwhile, campaigners for a greenway on the rail line from Athenry to Tuam have privately expressed frustration and disappointment – they had hoped to Government would completely dismiss any prospect of the WRC being reopened.
They have claimed the Government is ‘kicking the can down the road’ in order to appease independent Galway East TD Sean Canney (former Minister of State for the Office of Public Works) and ensure his support of the Government.
Minister Ciaran Cannon told the Connacht Tribune there would never be a train running between Athenry and Claremorris “in any of our lifetimes”.
And he said there would be a mass rally taking place in Tuam over the coming weeks in order to emphasise the need for a greenway along the old disused track.
“I cannot see the logic in long-fingering this project when the concept of providing trains along this track is simply a non-runner. None of us will ever see a train on this track again,” said the Minister.
And while West on Track, who are pushing for the rail line to be reopened, are buoyed by last week’s announcement of another review, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar’s comments in the aftermath of the announcement of the National Development Plan were not that encouraging.
He said: “The last time it was done (the review) it came out negatively at a cost of 100 against six – 100 being the cost and six being the benefit. Most rail projects come out at 100 to 80”.
But West-on-Track campaigners believe that they have achieved something of a victory. Spokesperson Colmán Ó Raghallaigh said that he welcomes the acknowledgement that the railway could play an important role in the Atlantic Economic Corridor.
“Linking Westport, Ballina, Castlebar, Claremorris and Tuam by rail to Galway City would have an enormous impact. It would also enable direct rail travel to and from Limerick and Cork offering tourists proper access to the West and North West for the first time,” Mr Ó Raghallaigh said.
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