West=On=Track -News

Galway Greens walk the line to keep Western Rail Corridor on track

April 29th 2009 

The Green Party in Galway today walked along the Western Rail Corridor out of Ceannt Station in Galway City and then onwards from Athenry station to Tuam station via Ballyglunin station.

Cllr Niall O Brolchain stated, "a lot of hard work has been done by the Greens and others to keep the Western Rail corridor on track despite the recession".

"While the link between Galway, Athenry, Gort, Ennis, Limerick and Cork is due to be completed this year with retained funding confirmed in the latest budget, it is important to continue with the good progress being made above Athenry", continued Cllr O Brolchain.

"The line between Athenry and Tuam is in relatively good shape as we witnessed at first hand. This is one of the best value for money projects in transport 21 as the whole infrastructure is already in state ownership and was built to last. The Tuam to Athenry section is due to open in two years time and should have a hugely positive effect in alleviating one of the country's worst traffic bottlenecks at Claregalway", continued Cllr O Brolchain.

"The walk today was hugely enjoyable. It was particularly great to see Ballyglunin station being kept in such great condition despite the lack of trains at the moment. Waiting on the platform it was easy to imagine trains in the past and trains in the future stopping in this rapidly developing beauty spot", said Cllr O Brolchain.

"In my opinion a commuter rail service between Tuam and Galway would provide a huge economic boost to the region. I suspect that rush hour trains would be packed with commuters from day one", concluded Cllr O Brolchain.