Mayo call for shelter facilities at Manulla Junction

Ballina senator highlights need for improved comfort for Mayo rail passengers

Fine Gael senator Mark Duffy has called for the installation of shelter facilities at Manulla Junction, describing the Mayo interchange as “a unique but exposed location” that lacks basic passenger amenities.

Speaking at a meeting of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport on Wednesday, October 22, Senator Duffy noted that Manulla Junction, while strategically important, remains inaccessible by car and is frequently used by passengers travelling between Westport, Castlebar, Foxford and Ballina.

“Something that has been raised with me very regularly and I don’t think it has ever been highlighted in this forum, is the need for shelter facilities at Manulla Junction,” the Ballina based told the committee.

“As we go into the winter months, there is a time lag between connecting services, and it rains twice as much on the west coast as it does on the east.

For passengers, improved shelter would be very much welcomed as an enhancement of the rail experience.”

Responding to the senator’s query, Iarnród Éireann CEO Mary Considine said she was not in a position to provide details on any current plans but pledged to examine the issue.

“I will take that away, if that is okay, because I do not know the answer to that at the moment.

We will come back to the Senator on that,” Ms Considine said.