West=On=Track
-News
Work has already started
on Western Rail Corridor - Ó
Cuiv
Tuam Herald - Thursday 2nd
February 2006
By TONY GALVIN
Work has already begun on the re-opening of the Western
Rail Corridor, according to Minister for Community, Rural
and Gaeltacht Affairs Eamon O Cuiv who told at gathering at
Knock Airport on Monday that the Government was committed to
improving the transport infrastructure in the West.
Minister O Cuiv was in Knock for the launch of new
state-of-the-art fire tendering equipment and took the
opportunity to reiterate the Government's commitment to
projects such as the Rail Corridor, the Atlantic Road
Corridor and the decentralisation process.
Minister O Cuiv stated that progress was being made on
several major projects which would have significant impact
on the West and within a short few years the benefits would
be felt throughout the region.
Preliminary and planning work had already begun to ensure
developments in towns such as Tuam, Athenry, Milltown and
Claremorris do not put obstacles in the way of the Western
Rail Corridor.
However, he did warn that the remaining section of the
line from Claremorris to Collooney in Sligo will require
further studies before a decision is made in relation to its
reopening.
"Transport 21 commits to developing the Western Rail
Corridor in phases. Following the launch of Transport 21,
the Minister for Transport, Martin Cullen, asked
Iarnród Éireann to give immediate attention to
the design and planning stages of the first phase of
development from Ennis to Athenry.
"I understand that the company has already begun this
work and will shortly undertake detailed scoping on the
requirements for the technical aspects associated with
reopening the line. While Transport 21 anticipates the
completion of this section of the line in 2008 and the
reopening of all sections to Claremorris by 2014,
Iarnród Éireann have been encouraged to
accelerate delivery of the programme wherever possible," he
told those gather at Knock on Monday.
In a measure designed to reassure sceptics, moves have
been made to preserve the western rail line in its entirety
to prevent any development which might hinder its
re-opening.
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