West=On=Track -News

West on Track welcomes Commencement of Rebuilding of Western Rail Corridor

Press Release 26th September 2006 

The West on Track Community Campaign warmly welcomes the announcement today at Athenry Railway Station, Co. Galway, by Mr. Martin Cullen T.D., Minister for Transport, of the commencement of Phase One of the Western Rail Corridor from Ennis to Athenry, to be followed consecutively by the section to Tuam.

Commending the Minister and the Government, a spokesman for West on Track said that the announcement is another welcome indication that the Government is intent on pressing ahead with the WRC project as part of the Transport 21 programme.

"Now that the Government has announced its intention to proceed to Tuam, there will also be a strong expectation that the last part of Phase 1, the section to Claremorris will also proceed consecutively," said a spokesman for West on Track. "This will ensure that the re-opened Phase 1 of the corridor will have the maximum impact in terms of passenger numbers and value for money to the state."

"This announcement by Minister Cullen of the re-opening of Phase 1 of the Western Rail Corridor is the most significant infrastructural development for the entire western region for generations. More than any other project, the Western Rail Corridor will demonstrate a real commitment to Balanced Regional Development.

It is also a historic announcement, marking as it does the largest re-opening of a railway in the history of the state.

The WRC is entirely consistent with the National Spatial Strategy, linking the Gateway cities of Sligo, Galway and Limerick along with the Hub towns of Ennis, Tuam, Ballina, and Castlebar. And because the WRC is a cross-radial line, it will complement the existing four radial routes which link Dublin to Sligo, Mayo, Galway and Limerick."

He also commended Iarnród Éireann for the professional and speedy manner in which it was progressing the project.

The launch was also attended by Dr. John Lynch, Chairman of CIÉ, Mr. Pat McCann, Chairman of the Expert Working Group on the WRC, and Ministers Éamon Ó Cuív, Noel Treacy and Frank Fahey. Present also were Messrs. Gerry Glynn and Myles McHugh of Iarnród Éireann, the Mayors of Galway city and county, as well as representatives of all political parties, local public representatives, West on Track and the Western Inter-County Railway Committee.