Western Rail Corridor (all disused sections)

rainbowdash · 14-12-2012 1:35pm

westtip wrote: »

Does it really annoy - oh dear. Check out a few quotes from West on Track about how many users would use the southern branch line and how many jobs it would create, would those quotes annoy you? The quote you have attributed to me actually comes from the Mayo Advertiser article; the claim for 5,000 jobs incidently is based I think on an entire network of greenways being built around the country - not just the Sligo Mayo Greenway - the sum parts of the whole make the whole; The figure I think was based on the economic papers put in the public domain about the value of greenways to local economies by Sustrans. I ask you to venture to the sustrans website and do some research of your own. It might annoy you even more.:D

BTW hurrah and congratulations to Derek Wheeler - who started this thread after the original thread was closed down, we have now reached post, 3,000.

3,000 posts well done Derek on re-starting the infamous WRC thread.

What annoys me is politcians and campaigners coming out with 5000 jobs here and 3500 jobs there and this plan will create 10000 jobs kind of stuff. As if they can just create jobs at the drop of a hat when clearly they can't. They stifle jobs by their incompetence if anything.

And yes west on track are the exact same - open the railway and there will be thousands of jobs created, waffle, waffle and spoof.

Another one is the task force. As soon as a town loses a big employer the governement establishes a jobs task force. Why not establish task forces anyway if they are so effective at creating jobs?

Greenways will at best create some seasonal jobs and the added benefit is they might underpin some jobs already in place.

westtip · 14-12-2012 1:43pm

rainbowdash wrote: »

Do you honestly believe there as many on the Newport Achill route today as there were on a Sunday in July?

24/7 types would be up on mountains anyway and living in tents, not taking up beds in hotels and sitting in the pub half the time spending money.

Yes it will bring in jobs but certainly not 5000 and whatever jobs are brought in are seasonal.

What part of this will be a local amenity used 365 days a year by local people don't you get?

Yes accepted the sligo mayo greenway won't bring in 5000 jobs but read the post about the network creating jobs (and yes granted some will be seasonal).

No there are not as many using the Achill route today as in July. of course not, the fact that there are though still people using it still in December January and Febuary and booking into B&Bs hotels and renting bikes even in the off season adds even more economic weight for the need for greenways. Face facts the Western Rail corridor will not generate jobs and will not be used, so why not put the route to a better use now.

westtip · 14-12-2012 1:56pm

corktina wrote: »

The kind of tourist that would use a Greenway would be all-weather 24/7/365 types in the main not day trippers on a sunday in August.

Corky not sure I agree with you non this one do you mean these kind of 24/7/365 hardcore tourists like the ones in this clip -- Greenways are about families!!

This small video clip sums up what the sligo mayo greenway campaign is all about...I urge everyone to click through and give it at least 30 seconds viewing and then think...mmmm I wonder if that could happen here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfDFwDAZnBk

the second video is more of a promo video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=Ov1w7ALZsIc&feature=endscreen

This is what we shoudl be be aspiring too.

rainbowdash · 14-12-2012 3:05pm

westtip wrote: »

What part of this will be a local amenity used 365 days a year by local people don't you get?

I get all of that bit.

westtip wrote: »

Yes accepted the sligo mayo greenway won't bring in 5000 jobs but read the post about the network creating jobs (and yes granted some will be seasonal).

Somebody else claimed the greenway would be used by 24/7/365 types - I disagree.

westtip wrote: »

Face facts the Western Rail corridor will not generate jobs and will not be used, so why not put the route to a better use now.

Of course a railway will not create jobs, the same as a new bus route in my area won't create jobs. At least not the way Irish Rail operate. But a well priced package rail / sail / B+B from London or Dublin to Westport then 40K walking trails to Achill - that might create jobs.

corktina · 14-12-2012 3:27pm

anything that brings in tourists will bring in money and that will bring in jobs (5000 a bit OTT I agree :-)

westtip · 15-12-2012 3:45pm

rainbowdash wrote: »

Of course a railway will not create jobs, the same as a new bus route in my area won't create jobs. At least not the way Irish Rail operate. But a well priced package rail / sail / B+B from London or Dublin to Westport then 40K walking trails to Achill - that might create jobs.

Indeed but they won't be coming to the west of Ireland to experience the rail experience of a lifetime from Claremorris to Athenry. They might fly into Knock - rent a bike in Charlestown and spend a few days on a network of greenways which happen to be very near to Knock airport.

sligotrain · 16-12-2012 10:40am

westtip wrote: »

Indeed but they won't be coming to the west of Ireland to experience the rail experience of a lifetime from Claremorris to Athenry. They might fly into Knock - rent a bike in Charlestown and spend a few days on a network of greenways which happen to be very near to Knock airport.

Surely the time has come to either rename this thread as "What if there was a cycle track in Mayo" or spin off cycle track speculation into a seperate thread?

It is ridiculous that the potential for railway services on a railway line cannot be discussed here but a one man fantasy about ripping up a railway line to use as a cycle track with ridiculous levels of hyperbole about it can.

corktina · 16-12-2012 10:47am

it is less of a fantasy than dreaming of re-opening it, after the abject failure of the southern section, which also was the section with the most potential....and don't get me started on the "Cork to Derry" delusions!

Hungerford · 16-12-2012 11:57am

corktina wrote: »

it is less of a fantasy than dreaming of re-opening it, after the abject failure of the southern section, which also was the section with the most potential....and don't get me started on the "Cork to Derry" delusions!

I actually think they reopened the wrong section. I think that reopening Tuam to Athenry would have been more useful as it could form the basis of a commuter rail service to Galway.

corktina · 16-12-2012 12:08pm

Hungerford wrote: »

I actually think they reopened the wrong section. I think that reopening Tuam to Athenry would have been more useful as it could form the basis of a commuter rail service to Galway.

you could well be right... theres very little between Ennis and Athenry, even Gort is only a Village.

Grandeeod · 16-12-2012 1:26pm

sligotrain wrote: »

Surely the time has come to either rename this thread as "What if there was a cycle track in Mayo" or spin off cycle track speculation into a seperate thread?

It is ridiculous that the potential for railway services on a railway line cannot be discussed here but a one man fantasy about ripping up a railway line to use as a cycle track with ridiculous levels of hyperbole about it can.

May I remind you of this.

On the 3rd Anniversary of this thread, may I remind you to grow up and stop trying to make the discussion personal. If you have any info regarding the cycle path campaign, then spit it out. Or rather back up your assertion about it being a one man anti railway campaign. As they say in the real world, piss or get off the pot. Over to you. Lets hear it.

You ignored it. Have another go because in my opinion you are starting to sound like a troll offering up some dangerous bait. How many decent posters have got the boot from here by reacting to such nonsense.

westtip · 16-12-2012 2:58pm

Hungerford wrote: »

I actually think they reopened the wrong section. I think that reopening Tuam to Athenry would have been more useful as it could form the basis of a commuter rail service to Galway.

Extract from the McCann Report May 2005 this report was the blueprint that advocated strategy re the Western Rail corridor:

Section 1
Athenry to Ennis – 36 miles in length: total capital cost of €74.7m (€2.1m per mile)

This section would appear to be one of the more viable as things stand and I am recommending that this section be re-opened in the short-term.

The main argument I see in favour of restoring this section is that it would create a rail link between the four largest cities outside Dublin; Galway, Limerick, Waterford and Cork and thus implement a major objective of the National Spatial Strategy, that of creating greater linkages between these four cities.

West on Track fully signed up to the McCann report and supported its strategy of four phases. Phase one (ennis Athenry) was always seen as the shoe in for success. It failed so what next open another section and see that fail?

By the ways lets remind ourselves of what McCann said of the Claremorris Collooney section - West On Track don't dust this one down and quote it too much:

Section 5
Claremorris to Collooney: 46.25 miles; capital cost of €197.4m at an average cost of €4.3m per mile

It is clear that this section would be extremely expensive to restore. It accounts for 54% of the restoration costs of the entire line. Expenditure of this order would be very difficult to justify and I have to say that the case for its restoration, as things stand, is weak except on the grounds of balanced regional development.

This section is characterised by low population densities with few towns of reasonable size.

The one strategic argument in its favour is that it would connect by rail the Sligo gateway with the other gateways and hubs on the western and southern seaboards. How Sligo develops, in terms of population, employment and economic activity, will be of relevance to any future decisions on this section. Accordingly, the case for restoring this section could change over time and I am making two specific recommendations here.

Firstly, the section should be preserved in its entirety by clearing, fencing, etc and Mayo, Roscommon and Sligo County Councils should make the necessary arrangements as soon as possible.

Secondly, the viability of restoring this section of line should be reviewed in three years to see whether the objective conditions for line restoration have changed.

Re the last sentence I think we can all agree that since 2005, 7 years later objecitve conditions have clearly changed somewhat.

The Idyl Race · 16-12-2012 2:58pm

Grandeeod wrote: »

May I remind you of this.

You ignored it. Have another go because in my opinion you are starting to sound like a troll offering up some dangerous bait. How many decent posters have got the boot from here by reacting to such nonsense.

It's a disgrace, Joe, breaking the consensus. How will we get friendly journalists and politicians on board with The Project when not everyone left on the thread is of exactly the same opinion?

Hungerford · 16-12-2012 5:52pm

westtip wrote: »

Phase one (ennis Athenry) was always seen as the shoe in for success. It failed so what next open another section and see that fail?

I am not suggesting any expansion of the WRC. My observation was that they arguably went for the wrong option (possibly for political reasons).

Tuam to Athenry was the cheapest in absolute cost terms and would have provided a platform for commuter services in the Galway region.

As you may recall, Limerick to Ennis managed perfectly well without the extension to Athenry in terms of attracting passengers by providing a frequent commuter link to Limerick. Tuam could have done the same, except in a Galway context, especially if Oranmore was opened.

Our man in Havana · 16-12-2012 6:02pm

Tuam to Athenry is never likely to reopen.

Grandeeod · 16-12-2012 6:24pm

Hungerford wrote: »

I am not suggesting any expansion of the WRC. My observation was that they arguably went for the wrong option (possibly for political reasons).

Tuam to Athenry was the cheapest in absolute cost terms and would have provided a platform for commuter services in the Galway region.

As you may recall, Limerick to Ennis managed perfectly well without the extension to Athenry in terms of attracting passengers by providing a frequent commuter link to Limerick. Tuam could have done the same, except in a Galway context, especially if Oranmore was opened.

I agree. The future for rail reopenings was always Commuter based. But the entire WRC saga was never about success. It was merely about social justice and seriously misguided social justice at that.

westtip · 16-12-2012 6:32pm

Hungerford wrote: »

I am not suggesting any expansion of the WRC. My observation was that they arguably went for the wrong option (possibly for political reasons).

Tuam to Athenry was the cheapest in absolute cost terms and would have provided a platform for commuter services in the Galway region.

As you may recall, Limerick to Ennis managed perfectly well without the extension to Athenry in terms of attracting passengers by providing a frequent commuter link to Limerick. Tuam could have done the same, except in a Galway context, especially if Oranmore was opened.

Fair comment in fact the Claremorris contingent of WOT would probably have preferred Tuam first then Claremorris because the campaign was always very much about making Claremorris the Clapham Junction of the west of ireland - but as just posted above, by another poster, Tuam Athenry is now never likely to happen - so the rest north of Tuam is also history. The recent Swinford declaration has made it clear what the people prefer; the original "phase four" (LOL) will never ever happen.

westtip · 16-12-2012 6:37pm

sligotrain wrote: »

but a one man fantasy about ripping up a railway line to use as a cycle track .

2,400 friends on Facebook.

1,300 people in Swinford support the idea.

Numerous posters on this thread support the idea.

Numerous letters in the national press have supported the idea of greenways nationally.

Hotels and businesses all along the route have supported the idea

Oh and some bloke called Enda kenny emailed us last year to say he likes the idea

check out the quotes page on www.sligomayogreenway.com

One man ..... and his band....of thousands thinking along the same lines.

Oh and i forgot to mention the Tuam Greenway project - check out their support on facebook...

La di da.:D

LivelineDipso · 16-12-2012 9:10pm

Hungerford wrote: »

Tuam to Athenry was the cheapest in absolute cost terms and would have provided a platform for commuter services in the Galway region.

Then why didn't WoT ask for it to be phase one?

MayoForSam · 17-12-2012 12:39am

Tuam-Galway as a rail commuter link would never have worked - it would not have been a direct service (probably have to change in Athenry), most people work in the industrial estates (a long way from the train station) and there's already a decent and frequent bus service with various pickup points to suit people and that services the Galway industrial estates (and even that's improved since the Claregalway bus lanes were put in).

I'm from Swinford originally, the town is crying out for some type of development to bring visitors into the town, a relatively low investment to create a greenway along the decrepit railway line is the only thing that makes any sense.

dowlingm · 17-12-2012 5:14am

Tuam-Athenry-Galway would have caused platform occupancy issues and given the location of the overbridge east of the station there's nowhere to notch in a bay. Add the single track section west of Athenry and only two usable platforms in Ceannt and that's the ball game.

westtip · 17-12-2012 11:57am

For the First time on Record a Government Minister says it out loud.

Today's Irish Times Page 8 interview of Leo Varadkar by Frank McDonald:

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2012/1217/1224327924838.html

This is the one sentence that says it all:

Asked about the Western Rail Corridor, he said it was not even going to be extended to Tuam

Page 8 Irish Times today.

Well there you go folks I don't think the issue of Claremorris Collooney being a greenway is such a big issue now do you....

what_traffic · 17-12-2012 1:27pm

See following link
http://www.dublincycling.ie/node/822

Possibility of getting EU money for Greenways.

See also
http://www.ecf.com/projects/eurovelo-2/

corktina · 17-12-2012 1:27pm

"new Ennis-Athenry link was not losing as much as other rail services such as Limerick Junction-Waterford and Manulla Junction-Ballina and these were being looked at by “number-crunchers” "

writing on the wall... ?

Hungerford · 17-12-2012 1:38pm

corktina wrote: »

"new Ennis-Athenry link was not losing as much as other rail services such as Limerick Junction-Waterford and Manulla Junction-Ballina and these were being looked at by “number-crunchers”

How can the losses on Manulla Junction to Ballina be that severe? The line has CTC throughout and Ballina has become a Mecca for what remains of IE's freight division.

corktina · 17-12-2012 1:40pm

Hungerford wrote: »

How can the losses on Manulla Junction to Ballina be that severe? The line has CTC throughout and Ballina has become a Mecca for what remains of IE's freight division.

i thought that too. Diversionary tactics?

LivelineDipso · 17-12-2012 2:30pm

corktina wrote: »

"new Ennis-Athenry link was not losing as much as other rail services such as Limerick Junction-Waterford and Manulla Junction-Ballina and these were being looked at by “number-crunchers” "

writing on the wall... ?

How much money does closing a rail line compare to the salary of one of the hundreds of IE managers and executives?

corktina · 17-12-2012 2:35pm

hmm...theres no point downsizing the network if the whole company isn'y
going to be similarly trimmed I agree.

dowlingm · 17-12-2012 2:50pm

Hungerford wrote: »

How can the losses on Manulla Junction to Ballina be that severe? The line has CTC throughout and Ballina has become a Mecca for what remains of IE's freight division.

Because IE insist on making the line pay for itself as passenger only, presumably because they don't have long term contracts with the forwarders. The reactivation of the pocket wagons only points up that DFDS did previously suspend the service. Also, the fact that freight is currently profitable on an operating basis may not provide for the cost of heavy overhauls and/or replacement of the locomotives being flogged around the network - clearly the government will have zero interest in capital for freight assets.

westtip · 17-12-2012 3:41pm

what_traffic wrote: »

See following link
http://www.dublincycling.ie/node/822

Possibility of getting EU money for Greenways.

See also
http://www.ecf.com/projects/eurovelo-2/

email sent to Jim higgins thanks for posting this one up. Varadkar has set the cat amongst the proverbials with his interview I see. No doubt the Western Media will be on his back soon...:D

westtip · 17-12-2012 3:43pm

corktina wrote: »

hmm...theres no point downsizing the network if the whole company isn'y
going to be similarly trimmed I agree.

One thing is for sure he isn't going to sign off on investing in another sure fire money loser is he.

Sponge Bob · 17-12-2012 3:58pm

Manulla - Ballina under threat, is it??? Hmmm.

end of the road · 17-12-2012 4:09pm

Sponge Bob wrote: »

Manulla - Ballina under threat, is it??? Hmmm.

unlikely, all though nothing would surprise me, anything could happen in the name of saving the sacred western fail rail

Hungerford · 17-12-2012 4:12pm

dowlingm wrote: »

Tuam-Athenry-Galway would have caused platform occupancy issues and given the location of the overbridge east of the station there's nowhere to notch in a bay. Add the single track section west of Athenry and only two usable platforms in Ceannt and that's the ball game.

It would have caused fewer occupancy issues than Limerick-Athenry-Galway as the Tuam line enters Athenry from the Dublin end of the station, meaning no reversal would be necessary.

In addition, the capacity issues could be resolved through the addition of a couple of passing loops. The price would still end up cheaper than what was actually opened.

Journey times would be surprisingly competitive due to the condition of the road between Galway and Tuam. If the service ran express from Athenry to Tuam then it might even be a bit quicker than driving even at off-peak times.

LivelineDipso · 17-12-2012 5:47pm

Tuam-Galway as phase one would of provided a workable approach once Oranmore was opened.

It was the most likely start to not have ended in total failure. The only disaster would of been WOT demanding every long dead station between Tuam and Athenry to be also opened. A run from Tuam to Athenry is a fast straight route with no LCs. Perfect for commuter.

However, I recently saw a WoT working report with a picture of a rail car with KNOCK on the destination board to underpin that the WRC crusade was a coagulation of various village idiots from the start.

The Idyl Race · 17-12-2012 5:55pm

Grandeeod wrote: »

You ignored it. Have another go because in my opinion you are starting to sound like a troll offering up some dangerous bait. How many decent posters have got the boot from here by reacting to such nonsense.

Funny, I thought that individuals were responsible for their own actions?

The Idyl Race · 17-12-2012 6:05pm

Hungerford wrote: »

It would have caused fewer occupancy issues than Limerick-Athenry-Galway as the Tuam line enters Athenry from the Dublin end of the station, meaning no reversal would be necessary.

In addition, the capacity issues could be resolved through the addition of a couple of passing loops. The price would still end up cheaper than what was actually opened.

Journey times would be surprisingly competitive due to the condition of the road between Galway and Tuam. If the service ran express from Athenry to Tuam then it might even be a bit quicker than driving even at off-peak times.

North of Athenry isn't going to happen on Leo's watch, but fear not, you'll be able to feast on the demise of the Ballina branch and the South Tipperary Line, with the death of a thousand cuts for the rest of the network. If things keep going the way they are, the regulars here should be happy out before too long, and we'll have 071 whizzing around a circular track somewhere near Mallow as the only bit of railway outside bits of Dublin, if that.

Perhaps they should sell trainsets that you destroy gradually, piece by piece for the Irish market. It should sell well. Made especially for the children of the already comfortable. Perhaps it should be combined with a board game, where players are landowners, politicians and car dealers, hoping to turn money on the thing. Kind of an Irish Monopoly. Be careful with the hot tarmac though.

sligotrain · 17-12-2012 6:11pm

"Careful with that axe, Eugene"

dowlingm · 17-12-2012 10:04pm

Hungerford wrote: »

It would have caused fewer occupancy issues than Limerick-Athenry-Galway as the Tuam line enters Athenry from the Dublin end of the station, meaning no reversal would be necessary.

In addition, the capacity issues could be resolved through the addition of a couple of passing loops. The price would still end up cheaper than what was actually opened.

Journey times would be surprisingly competitive due to the condition of the road between Galway and Tuam. If the service ran express from Athenry to Tuam then it might even be a bit quicker than driving even at off-peak times.

My point there was simply that if existing services were not to be hobbled then significant capital expense would be required on the existing lines. One possibility might be to notch in a bay on the Limerick side for services to terminate where trains to Ennis were extended north to connect to Galway bound services, leaving the mainline free for Tuam trains - but such expenditure should properly be accounted as an expense for the Tuam reopening rather than sleeveen sharp practice reallocating it to Limerick or elsewhere.

As for travel time, the line would have to be fast given that once again the line does not travel on the most direct route but an L shape via Athenry. The problem is that most of the feasibility of Galway rail service is centred on Galway's road system remaining crap with the ring road incomplete and consequent congestion, and that's not good for Galway's economy as a whole.

westtip · 17-12-2012 10:22pm

The Idyl Race wrote: »

North of Athenry isn't going to happen on Leo's watch, but fear not, you'll be able to feast on the demise of the Ballina branch and the South Tipperary Line, with the death of a thousand cuts for the rest of the network. If things keep going the way they are, the regulars here should be happy out before too long, and we'll have 071 whizzing around a circular track somewhere near Mallow as the only bit of railway outside bits of Dublin, if that.

Perhaps they should sell trainsets that you destroy gradually, piece by piece for the Irish market. It should sell well. Made especially for the children of the already comfortable. Perhaps it should be combined with a board game, where players are landowners, politicians and car dealers, hoping to turn money on the thing. Kind of an Irish Monopoly. Be careful with the hot tarmac though.

strange attitude - there is no advocating closure of lines - merely not wasting money on sure fire losers that will drain resources further.

The money spent on the southern branch line WRC would have been more beneficial for the west (and indeed Irish Rail) had it been spent on double tracking Galway Athlone - for instance. Money better spent in many peoples view and would have helped Galway - Dublin compete with the motorway.

Hungerford · 17-12-2012 11:35pm

The Idyl Race wrote: »

North of Athenry isn't going to happen on Leo's watch, but fear not, you'll be able to feast on the demise of the Ballina branch and the South Tipperary Line, with the death of a thousand cuts for the rest of the network.

You obviously didn't read my post. I was suggesting that the wrong part of the WRC was opened up. Obviously, the line to Tuam can't be opened now because the miserable failure of Ennis-Athenry has undermined the argument for opening even the most sensible element of the project.

westtip · 18-12-2012 6:38pm

Hungerford wrote: »

You obviously didn't read my post. I was suggesting that the wrong part of the WRC was opened up. Obviously, the line to Tuam can't be opened now because the miserable failure of Ennis-Athenry has undermined the argument for opening even the most sensible element of the project.

Plus on the wider picture the announcement a few months back that the N18/17 extension from North of Gort to North of Tuam was one of the few projects that will happen, was let's face it the real statement of intent about the WRC northern branch line. Once this project is completed or even started the statement by Varadkar in yesterdays Irish Times is merely saying - lads forget it we are going to give you what people actually want a good safe fast road - upon which you will see express bus services providing a good efficient service. Once this new road is in place the WRC is as dead as the proverbial parrot. This is the reality of the situation which West on Track are finding hard to stomach. Greenway or not - the road means the end of the line for the northern branch line dream of the WRC.

end of the road · 18-12-2012 8:22pm

westtip wrote: »

a good safe fast road - upon which you will see express bus services providing a good efficient service.

at speeds from the dark ages. but again if phazes 2 and 3 which would be also traveling at dark age speeds not going ahead means no more lines with more potential being sacrificed to open them then fair enough.

Sponge Bob · 19-12-2012 2:43am

http://www.galwaynews.ie/29394-funding-western-rail-corridor-be-reviewed-post-2016

Thread could run a while yet.

Deputy O' Mahony told West On Track that the position is that within the current Capital Investment Programme to 2016, funds are not provided to extend the line further.

However, it will be reviewed again when the post-2016 programme is being drawn up.

foggy_lad · 19-12-2012 5:25am

end of the road wrote: »

at speeds from the dark ages. but again if phazes 2 and 3 which would be also traveling at dark age speeds not going ahead means no more lines with more potential being sacrificed to open them then fair enough.

What speeds do you see wrc trains travelling at with all those road and accommodation level crossings as well as the prehistoric alignment? Buses are already much faster than the train on the best fastest section of the western fail corridor.

westtip · 19-12-2012 8:19am

Letter in Irish Times today re Varadkar statement that the ~WRC north of Tuam is not about to happen.

Sir, – For the first time, an Irish Minister has had the courage to make a definitive statement on the western rail corridor. Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar told Frank McDonald (Home News, December 17th)that it is “not even going to be extended to Tuam”.

Now that the Government position has finally become clear, maybe politicians in Connacht will find the courage to tell the pro-rail lobbyists the trains aren’t coming any time soon? Political pandering to the pro-rail contingent had prevented the route being used for regional development as a tourism and leisure corridor and as a route for high-speed broadband infrastructure, all of which would bring hundreds of jobs to the north west.

In addition, a greenway-type trail on the old trackbed would preserve the route for future generations in case a rail project ever becomes viable. The alternative, allowing the route to be lost piecemeal to public ownership by adverse possession, is not good governance.

Now that Mr Varadkar has “told it like it is”, hopefully Minister Ring and an Taoiseach will find it easier to do the same, and we can all move on with making this asset work for the people of Ireland. – Yours, etc,

JOHN MULLIGAN,
Kiltycreighton,
Boyle, Co Roscommon.

here here.

sligotrain · 19-12-2012 1:17pm

westtip wrote: »

Letter in Irish Times today re Varadkar statement that the ~WRC north of Tuam is not about to happen.

here here.

The same John Mulligan who made a presentation to Roscommon County Council in February asking them to endorse the destruction of the WRC in favour of a walking trail. They sent him on his way

Members thanked Mr. Mulligan for his very informative Presentation and the following issues
were raised:-
• Regret that Mr. Mulligan is unaware of the restoration of the O’Sullivan Beara Walk.
• The recently published Government commissioned AECOM/Goodbody Strategic Rail Investments Needs Review indicated that the Athenry/Tuam line on the Western Rail Corridor merits further consideration. The Report also finds that recent developments in rail freight have indicated that opportunities continue to arise for the carriage of bulk materials and unit load traffics, where relatively long distances and port orientated traffics are involved. The
Western Rail corridor is therefore unsuitable as a trail.

Source: http://www.roscommoncoco.ie/en/Services/Corporateservices/Council_Meeting_Minutes/Monthly_Meeting_Minutes/2012/Council_Meeting_Minutes_27_2_2012.pdf

black47 · 19-12-2012 1:28pm

sligotrain wrote: »

The same John Mulligan who made a presentation to Roscommon County Council in February asking them to endorse the destruction of the WRC in favour of a walking trail. They sent him on his way

Source: http://www.roscommoncoco.ie/en/Services/Corporateservices/Council_Meeting_Minutes/Monthly_Meeting_Minutes/2012/Council_Meeting_Minutes_27_2_2012.pdf

I have to say that as an occasional visitor to this forum I was fairly unaware of the freight angle. Does this have merit interms of connecting areas like Tuam into the mainline grid allowing connection to Dublin and Waterford ports I wonder? would this be an attraction for larger companies to locate in North Galway and use such a service?

Our man in Havana · 19-12-2012 1:45pm

No hope of that ever happening.

Tuam-Athenry is now officially a never going to happen dead duck.

corktina · 19-12-2012 2:13pm

black47 wrote: »

I have to say that as an occasional visitor to this forum I was fairly unaware of the freight angle. Does this have merit interms of connecting areas like Tuam into the mainline grid allowing connection to Dublin and Waterford ports I wonder? would this be an attraction for larger companies to locate in North Galway and use such a service?

NO in all respects

Western Rail Corridor (all disused sections)

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