The Western Development Commission (WDC) welcomes the All-Island Strategic Rail Review, released this week, recognising its potential to significantly enhance rail connectivity in the Western Region. The WDC has continually advocated for the need for better transport links and welcomes the commitment to invest in more sustainable transport.
Among the highlighted improvements are the enhanced services on routes between Galway, Mayo, Sligo and Dublin as well as the reinstatement of services from Athenry to Claremorris, part of the Western Rail Corridor. The Athenry-Claremorris route is an important element in improved interregional connectivity for passengers as well as freight.
Allan Mulrooney, CEO of the WDC, noted “The inclusion of the Claremorris – Athenry route in the Strategic Rail Review is a major milestone for our region. Improving interregional connectivity is a key enabler in supporting more balanced regional growth – a key priority of the Government’s National Planning Framework (NPF).
Transport links between urban centres across our region enables economic growth. For example, the improved links between Limerick and Galway, both road and rail, have supported the economic growth of both these centres and the regions they serve. It is important that the line from Claremorris to Athenry will be delivered to a passenger specification with frequencies and journey times to make it attractive to those who currently journey by car.”
Mulrooney added, “While this is a great step forward for the region, we need to extend this capacity to Sligo and beyond so the west/ northwest can deliver for the ambition in the National Planning Framework.”
The WDC has previously highlighted the potential freight demand in the region in the 2015 study Rail Freight and the Western Region and again in the 2016 study; Rail Freight: A More Sustainable Transport Option, demonstrated the carbon savings from rail freight.
Deirdre Frost, Policy Analyst with WDC and lead for the report said, “The WDC Rail Freight: A More Sustainable Transport Option report found increasing rail freight volumes will capitalise on our existing rail network and will deliver wider societal benefits in terms of lower emissions and reduced traffic on the road network.”
Frost continues, “The connections from the South (Omagh) and the East (Derry) are very positive for Letterkenny which has been geographically isolated for many years. This planned connectivity provides better transport links between Letterkenny and Derry. Letterkenny is an important driver for regional balance in the National Planning Framework.”
The WDC noted in their submission following the Draft National Planning Framework, any changes to the rail network should ensure improvements in connections from the West. Any proposed changes on the Sligo line need to ensure the current good connectivity to Connolly and intermediate stations.
As the designated key centre for the Northern and Western Region, Sligo needs to be enabled to deliver stronger regional employment and population growth as planned in the NPF. To do this, it needs better transport connectivity to its hinterland both south and north, both rail and road.
Mulrooney concluded; “The WDC is pleased with the progress outlined in the Review and we will continue to engage with transport authorities where we can help and provide insight. In supporting more balanced regional development and supporting Government to deliver the goals of the National Planning Framework, we will advocate for further investments, which serves the entire west/northwest Region and is critical in delivering connectivity to and from the Region. Likewise the further development of the western rail corridor onwards from Claremorris for both passenger and freight to Sligo should examine connectivity to Ireland West Airport. Ireland West Airport serves the entire West/north West Region and is very important in delivering connectivity to and from the Region. These steps are crucial for maximising the potential of the Western Region and the country.
The WDC looks forward to active engagement with the Department of Transport and the various state agencies to deliver on the Government’s ambition in the National Planning Framework.
For more details on the WDC’s submission, please refer to the full document here. The complete All-Island Strategic Rail Review can be accessed here.
