TEN-T regulation a missed opportunity for Western Rail Corridor

SINN Féin MEP Chris MacManus has welcomed the passing of the revised TEN-T regulation in the European Parliament, which sees Galway Port and the Athenry-Claremorris section of the Western Rail Corridor added to the TEN-T Comprehensive Network. However, the Midlands Northwest representative said that the omission of the Claremorris-Collooney section of the rail line was a missed opportunity to secure EU funding.

MEP MacManus said: “I was pleased to vote in favour of the revised TEN-T regulation in the European Parliament. The updated network will include Galway Port and the section of the Western Rail Corridor from Athenry-Collooney. These changes are very welcome as these projects will now be eligible for funding under the Connecting Europe Facility.

“It is, however, very disappointing that the Claremorris-Collooney section of the Western Rail Corridor has not been added to the TEN-T Network.

“While I had proposed this change previously, the Irish government have refused to endorse its addition, meaning it has been left out of the updated network.”

He continued: “This is a missed opportunity to secure EU funding for the entire Western Rail Corridor. It confirms that the current government have no intention of reopening the rail line beyond Claremorris for the foreseeable future.

“Sinn Féin have been clear on the Western Rail Corridor - in government we will reopen the entire rail line, including the section from Claremorris to Collooney.

“The rail line is vital to the future of our region in terms of connectivity and economic development, and it is critical that the entire line is reopened.”