Western Rail Corridor plan 'key to a post-Covid economy'
A Mayo TD stressed the importance of connectivity between towns and cities and that vital rail infrastructure must be provided in future to ensure that a new, post-Covid-19 economy can flourish west of the Shannon
Deputy Alan Dillon expressed his ambition for delivery of the long awaited Western Rail Corridor to move to this next development stage following acknowledgement by the Minister for Climate Action, Communication Networks and Transport Eamon Ryan that the Western Rail Corridor will be included in the National Economic Plan currently being framed and a decision on its viability will be made soon.
Minister Ryan indicated that the Western Rail project is currently under consideration in the bigger wider strategic context of economic development.
The minister outlined in Dáil Éireann the importance of particular passenger rails services coming on the back of the real key strategic benefit from which will be industrial rail freight capability which will bring employment manufacturing to the western region, which has clean power, clean water, highly skilled manufacturing workforce.
Minister Ryan confirmed he received a copy of the Iarnrod Eireann report commissioned by consultants Ernst and Young.
This report is now been subjected to a short independent review to fully inform his considerations before presenting to Cabinet and assured that this independent review would be competed very soon.
The existing Western Rail Corridor runs for 234 kilometres from Sligo to Limerick.
From a Mayo perspective, its reopening as an Irish Rail network would offer a direct link with the cities of Galway, Limerick, Cork and Sligo.
Deputy Dillon stressed that its is a vital route for medical and educational purposes.
He stated: “The prospect for Mayo attracting a percentage of the 1.6 million tourists who visit Galway every year, as a result of the rail link, not to mention the increased prospects of attracting further multinational investment, growing jobs and supporting vibrant local communities.
“It would also connect by rail three international airports, three universities and four institutes of technology, with the possibility of further linking northwards to Letterkenny and Derry."