Western Rail Corridor / Rail Trail Discussion

ezstreet5 · 29-06-2021 7:41pm

Deleted User wrote: »

So a few things

You say phase 1 cost 106.5m. Don't forget that was against WOT's estimate of 76m, so it ended up being 40% higher than their makey uppey numbers so they have form in being wayyyyy off

The real costs for Phase 1 were €106.5 million, so that's a valid data point. Once real data becomes available, the accuracy of prior forecasts becomes unimportant. And based on the real data of that time, I would again reject EY's cost on this current item.

Deleted User wrote: »

Next, you say you reject EY's costs. Thats fine. The important thing is their costs have been accepted by Cabinet, Dept of Transport & IE. Whether you or I accept them is irrelevant

You are right that we are not the decision makers, but I would also reject the notion that DTTAS and/or Irish Rail always act impartially and in the best interest of the State and the Province. Those working closely with civil servants understand that departments can be biased for any number of reasons. So I cannot accept bad data on an "appeal to authority" fallacy.

Deleted User wrote: »

On a final note, its great to see the consultants have been appointed for the Galway section of the greenway, The Quiet Man Greenway.

OK.

ShaneC1600 · 29-06-2021 11:18pm

ezstreet5 wrote: »

Finally just getting to this new WOT-published appraisal report. Agree that a lot of the opening material is superfluous for a rail review & CBA. It may be interesting for historians, but not for transport planners. The WOT analysis does not actually begin until halfway through.

The build costs are really going to be a significant driver, though. EY says that those are €263.8m and WOT says they are €153.8m. Given that Phase 1 cost €106.5m for 58km and included five new/refurbished stations, I can't see the Phase 2/3 costs exceeding WOT's estimate. Phases 2/3 would be 6km shorter, and include three fewer stations. On this point, I would have to reject EY's costs as being "officially" exorbitant and incorrect. Perhaps EY were just trying to avoid the embarrassment of a cost overrun, and went a little (way) to far to protect themselves.

I thought EY based their costs on a recent track renewal in the UK which was a double track section which would explain the higher costs, although they did have meetings with IE but I don't think they used the information but I could be wrong.

westtip · 30-06-2021 1:03pm

Just a thought on the lobbyist West on Track report regarding Tourism. The EY report mentions 23,000 tourists per annum using the, WOT in their usual robust forecasts say this could rise to 80,000 per annum by 2030 (assuming the line was built by 2025 I think!), In another part of the lobbyist report they state Westport is likely to be the biggest beneficiary tourism-wise of the reopening of Athenry – Claremorris An interesting thought, but what this simple statement shows us is this, small towns say like Claremorris, will not benefit from the tourists on the railway line as people will simply not get off, you cannot monetise tourists on a train looking out the window at your local townland. They travel from one tourist hotspot to anther. That is just a point to make. The other issue is numbers.

It is always difficult to get up to date numbers and in many respects it is pre-covid numbers we need to look at, but consider this, the Waterford greenway hit 280,000 visitors and users in 2019 and they weren't just arriving in tourist hotspots like Dungarvan and Waterford they were spending money along the route. Just look at this link or google visitors using waterford greenway

https://www.stickybottle.com/latest-news/greenways-ireland-tourist-numbers/

Being connected to the national greenway network the greenway we advocate could put half a million tourists on this route a year, they will have no choice but to stop for a coffee, lunch or a night in the smaller communities along the way, and the actual numbers a greenway will bring in will greatly surpass any railway.....and this is not counting the local usage when people locally just pop out for a day out buy a lunch or pint on the way and circulate money around their own local economy. You see the greenway is not such a bad idea and will create an economy of its own.

ezstreet5 · 30-06-2021 1:26pm

westtip wrote: »

Just a thought on the lobbyist West on Track report regarding Tourism. The EY report mentions 23,000 tourists per annum using the, WOT in their usual robust forecasts say this could rise to 80,000 per annum by 2030 (assuming the line was built by 2025 I think!), In another part of the lobbyist report they state Westport is likely to be the biggest beneficiary tourism-wise of the reopening of Athenry – Claremorris An interesting thought, but what this simple statement shows us is this, small towns say like Claremorris, will not benefit from the tourists on the railway line as people will simply not get off, you cannot monetise tourists on a train looking out the window at your local townland. They travel from one tourist hotspot to anther. That is just a point to make. The other issue is numbers.

Pejoratives aside, I think you are wrong on this point. I think both reports agree on 23,000 tourists with respect to the CBA.

westtip wrote: »

It is always difficult to get up to date numbers and in many respects it is pre-covid numbers we need to look at, but consider this, the Waterford greenway hit 280,000 visitors and users in 2019 and they weren't just arriving in tourist hotspots like Dungarvan and Waterford they were spending money along the route. Just look at this link or google visitors using waterford greenway

https://www.stickybottle.com/latest-news/greenways-ireland-tourist-numbers/.

It's a bit obtuse and simple to say that if we build a bicycle trail, we will have the same results as Waterford or the Great Western Greenway. There is a difference. We will be akin to the Old Rail Trail, and perhaps not even rise to that level as we are not part of a Eurovelo route.

westtip wrote: »

Being connected to the national greenway network the greenway we advocate could put half a million tourists on this route a year, they will have no choice but to stop for a coffee, lunch or a night in the smaller communities along the way, and the actual numbers a greenway will bring in will greatly surpass any railway.....and this is not counting the local usage when people locally just pop out for a day out buy a lunch or pint on the way and circulate money around their own local economy. You see the greenway is not such a bad idea and will create an economy of its own.

We are unconnected. Perhaps we will be depending on the Athlone to Galway route decision, but as of now, it is a disconnected, inland segment.

westtip · 30-06-2021 1:39pm

ezstreet5 wrote: »

Pejoratives aside, I think you are wrong on this point. I think both reports agree on 23,000 tourists with respect to the CBA.

It's a bit obtuse and simple to say that if we build a bicycle trail, we will have the same results as Waterford or the Great Western Greenway. There is a difference. We will be akin to the Old Rail Trail, and perhaps not even rise to that level as we are not part of a Eurovelo route.

We are unconnected. Perhaps we will be depending on the Athlone to Galway route decision, but as of now, it is a disconnected, inland segment.

Well 23,000 tourists is even worse than the 80,000 they do point to in the lobbyist report.

Obtuse is your opinion, I am not suggesting visitors will come to visit the Western rail trail just because it is there, but connectivity is why they will use it. Dublin Galway will be built it and will more than likely go through Athenry based on the route option being considered and defacto could be connected to the Athenry Collooney route. Connection will be made to Enniskillen and to the Cavan/Lakes greenways to connect with the east coast via greenway to collooney. The Castlebar/Turlough house greenway would be a simple connection to the swinford area and Castlebar is due to be connected to Westport and the GWG. The whole point of the Western Rail Trail is that it is a key route to providing national connectivity, this will bring tourists in who spend money along the route in parts of ireland that simply don't see tourists spending money. so in truth I don't really don't accept your arguments.

Decades · 30-06-2021 1:40pm

ezstreet5 wrote: »

We will be akin to the Old Rail Trail, and perhaps not even rise to that level as we are not part of a Eurovelo route.
We are unconnected. Perhaps we will be depending on the Athlone to Galway route decision, but as of now, it is a disconnected, inland segment.

Yes, Old Rail Trail will be a more realistic user target and I don't think an Athenry-Claremorris route would even emulate those figures which are quite higher than targeted. Like the railway argument though, the tourism factor would just be a potential cherry on top. E-bikes are the game-changer here, making the idea of connecting towns, villages and hinterlands within a 20k radius or more a real viable, and proper carbon-neutral, proposition for active travel.

westtip · 30-06-2021 3:18pm

Decades wrote: »

I don't think an Athenry-Claremorris route would even emulate those figures which are quite higher than targeted. .

I am not suggesting half a million will come to just to use Athenry-claremorris-collooney, what I am suggesting it is perfectly feasible to suggest that if this route was connected to the National Greenway network it is possible anywhere btween 300k and 600k could use the route. They have to stop everyday at some stage, they will spend money on the route, and the small communities along the way will benefit, it would make a huge difference to tourism spend if it was distributed along the route, you won't get that distribution of spend from 23,000 tourist every year looking out the window on the way to westport, which as the lobbying report from West on track says that is where they will be heading, people will not get off the train to buy lunch in Ballyglunin. Greenway-nomics will transform the tourism spend along this route.

Pete_Cavan · 30-06-2021 8:59pm

You could even flip those figures and you still get the same result; 0.5m tourists on trains heading north of Athenry likely wont spend a penny south of Claremorris, 23k tourists on the greenway would likely each spend something ranging from a bottle of water to several overnight stays and meals.

I can't see any tourists getting off a train heading north from Athenry. The journey would likely be less than an hour and the faster it is the less likely they would be to get off. Getting off probably loses you the full day as you would likely have to wait for the train to complete its journey to Claremorris, return to Athenry and then get to where you are on its next northbound journey, before you can continue north.

eastwest · 01-07-2021 8:57am

Pete_Cavan wrote: »

You could even flip those figures and you still get the same result; 0.5m tourists on trains heading north of Athenry likely wont spend a penny south of Claremorris, 23k tourists on the greenway would likely each spend something ranging from a bottle of water to several overnight stays and meals.

I can't see any tourists getting off a train heading north from Athenry. The journey would likely be less than an hour and the faster it is the less likely they would be to get off. Getting off probably loses you the full day as you would likely have to wait for the train to complete its journey to Claremorris, return to Athenry and then get to where you are on its next northbound journey, before you can continue north.

But Gort has experienced a tourism.boom from the 500,000 tourists that pass through it every year, surely?

Decades · 05-07-2021 5:29pm

Eamon Ryan endorsing the "Atlantic Rail Corridor" from Athenry up to " the Northwest" on Newstalk. He's bought the IRC/WOT/NWRA ARC jargon for sure. There'll be nothing doing on that line while his green arse is on that red hot-seat.

end of the road · 06-07-2021 2:35pm

yes it's a great day for the west on track campaign and for the people.
just one more brave step and that is to give it the go ahead.
very prowd and happy for all involved in that campaign.

L1011 · 06-07-2021 3:11pm

Ryan making a single statement that has absolutely no substance is not something to be happy about. It brings it no closer to happening

Sam Russell · 06-07-2021 3:33pm

L1011 wrote: »

Ryan making a single statement that has absolutely no substance is not something to be happy about. It brings it no closer to happening

He really is a loose cannon. He should try and make sure his brain is engaged before he lets his lips move.

end of the road · 06-07-2021 4:10pm

L1011 wrote: »

Ryan making a single statement that has absolutely no substance is not something to be happy about. It brings it no closer to happening

we will have to wait and see, however it's a minister seeing common sense for once on the issue and it's high profile endorsement and support for the campaign.
so still a good day.

06-07-2021 4:13pm

Decades wrote: »

Eamon Ryan endorsing the "Atlantic Rail Corridor" from Athenry up to " the Northwest" on Newstalk. He's bought the IRC/WOT/NWRA ARC jargon for sure. There'll be nothing doing on that line while his green arse is on that red hot-seat.

Cheers, just had a listen to it. Its here for others if they want a listen

He made a lot of good points across a lot of topics

He raised the point that not building the M20 and instead using the money for bypasses would allow us to bypass 20-30 towns around the country allowing for those places to be revitalized.

He talked about having more people living in city and town centers, increasing availability of broadband and amenities in such places. Looking to have bb fully rolled out by 2024.

He spoke about loads of investment into rail (electrification, suburban rail in Cork, new stations on existing lines, high density residential on public lands located around stations) escooter legislation, pedestrian-first infrastructure development.

He talked about using excess energy from wind to create green hydrogen, off-shore wind, using excess heat from data centers to provide heating/hot water for residential properties, rewetting bogs, massive expansion of forestry, changing how farmers farm etc

Loads and loads and loads of really good stuff

With regards to the Western Transport Corridor he stated that theres a line already there so it might make economic sense to reopen that line. The rail review is looking at that.

However based on the last few reports, its unlikely to find any economic justification for reopening the line. Its impossible to see what kind of calculations they would be able to do that would justify reopening the line at this point in time.

Maybe there is something I'm missing, but outside of emotion, I don't see any way they can justify spending the money on that line ahead of other projects with far, far higher CB ratio's.

eastwest · 06-07-2021 6:47pm

Deleted User wrote: »

Cheers, just had a listen to it. Its here for others if they want a listen

He made a lot of good points across a lot of topics

He raised the point that not building the M20 and instead using the money for bypasses would allow us to bypass 20-30 towns around the country allowing for those places to be revitalized.

He talked about having more people living in city and town centers, increasing availability of broadband and amenities in such places. Looking to have bb fully rolled out by 2024.

He spoke about loads of investment into rail (electrification, suburban rail in Cork, new stations on existing lines, high density residential on public lands located around stations) escooter legislation, pedestrian-first infrastructure development.

He talked about using excess energy from wind to create green hydrogen, off-shore wind, using excess heat from data centers to provide heating/hot water for residential properties, rewetting bogs, massive expansion of forestry, changing how farmers farm etc

Loads and loads and loads of really good stuff

With regards to the Western Transport Corridor he stated that theres a line already there so it might make economic sense to reopen that line. The rail review is looking at that.

However based on the last few reports, its unlikely to find any economic justification for reopening the line. Its impossible to see what kind of calculations they would be able to do that would justify reopening the line at this point in time.

Maybe there is something I'm missing, but outside of emotion, I don't see any way they can justify spending the money on that line ahead of other projects with far, far higher CB ratio's.

Even if one report (apart from an inflated lobbyist document) actually finds for a railway, it will have to get to the back of a very long queue.
And even if WOT's political wing get into government, the priority list will be difficult to satisfy. There are just too many genuine rail projects that need to be done before getting to the vanity stuff.

06-07-2021 6:50pm

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Cheers, just had a listen to it. Its here for others if they want a listen

He made a lot of good points across a lot of topics

He raised the point that not building the M20 and instead using the money for bypasses would allow us to bypass 20-30 towns around the country allowing for those places to be revitalized.

He talked about having more people living in city and town centers, increasing availability of broadband and amenities in such places. Looking to have bb fully rolled out by 2024.

He spoke about loads of investment into rail (electrification, suburban rail in Cork, new stations on existing lines, high density residential on public lands located around stations) escooter legislation, pedestrian-first infrastructure development.

He talked about using excess energy from wind to create green hydrogen, off-shore wind, using excess heat from data centers to provide heating/hot water for residential properties, rewetting bogs, massive expansion of forestry, changing how farmers farm etc

Loads and loads and loads of really good stuff

With regards to the Western Transport Corridor he stated that theres a line already there so it might make economic sense to reopen that line. The rail review is looking at that.

However based on the last few reports, its unlikely to find any economic justification for reopening the line. Its impossible to see what kind of calculations they would be able to do that would justify reopening the line at this point in time.

Maybe there is something I'm missing, but outside of emotion, I don't see any way they can justify spending the money on that line ahead of other projects with far, far higher CB ratio's.

The M20 needs to be built. Simple as. No bollox acting with bypasses or road upgrades. Just a motorway from cork to Limerick.

westtip · 18-07-2021 11:44am

Remember the Velorail in Kiltimagh. they won't like this in County Hall in Castlebar, Department officials crawling all over them.

https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/local-authority-pays-back-80000-after-funding-overlap-40664218.html

D'Peoples Voice · 18-07-2021 1:12pm

https://boards.ie/discussion/comment/117626938#Comment_117626938

Sums up politicians in Ireland🙄

[quote]The project, which is under construction, received a bigger funding allocation than any other local authority project in 2017, according to records released under the Freedom of Information Act.

In 2017 a senior civil servant noted that the project had the “least compelling case” for additional support. However the funding was approved by then minster and Mayo TD Michael Ring.[/quote]

19-07-2021 12:14am

Oh my, that's embarrassing

westtip · 20-07-2021 1:04am

https://boards.ie/discussion/comment/117630222#Comment_117630222

And is probably going to get more embarrassing when that audit is revealed and other documents of note.

Decades · 22-07-2021 9:59am

eastwest · 24-07-2021 9:10am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117635313#Comment_117635313

Sounds like an interesting assignment for an auditor.

Like figuring out why an overclaim on funding by a development company was repaid by the council.

Just which of them is running the job? Or not running it, as seems to be the case last time I looked.

westtip · 26-07-2021 2:56pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117654943#Comment_117654943

Yep I can't get my head around that one, the original money 200K, was given to MCC with the Velo carts itemised in the original application from MCC, so they were fully paid for at the beginning of the debacle, obviously the council got more money after the cost overrun that Ring bunged another 118k at it, then this crowd in the IRD asked for 198K in Leader funding yet its the council giving money back, surely the IRD should be the body giving the money back as it was the IRD apparently that made the second claim for the go carts that had already being paid for. The whole thing seems very strange, like how did they not notice that they were only allowed 200K for a Leader project? Did the guy at the IRD not know about the first tranche of money? There must be a question in the Leader application that asks about other sources of funding, I wonder what the IRD wrote in that space if the question is asked? We also know the guy from the IRD was all over facebook saying the project had got the money months before they made a claim for even more money? and he went on air on Mid West Radio telling everyone about this joint project with the IRD and MCC.

It's all very strange if you ask me, reckon the auditors report will be interesting reading. There are going to be loads more questions to get answered I reckon?

Pete_Cavan · 26-07-2021 4:25pm

Wouldn't surprise me if there was another funding application in a few years to modify the carts and put proper tyres on them so that they can be used on a greenway. Probably presented as protecting the initial investment, not letting taxpayers money go to waste, etc.

westtip · 28-07-2021 2:18pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117664147#Comment_117664147

and if the current mob have anything to do with it, the money will have to be well watched to see where it actually goes

westtip · 23-08-2021 12:17pm

https://www.oceanfm.ie/2021/08/23/new-stretch-of-n4-open-to-traffic-today/?fbclid=IwAR02GiwfUtbxm7jsqZS9jWO4uCECip28JxhGxanHDBpR_23vo7eTKoBOyWs

More good news for the West and North West today, next step lets see the N17 upgrade from Collooney to Knock bypass done. Supply chain planners, locals and tourist trade coming into the north west will be delighted with this news!

04-09-2021 8:16pm

Over 1,600 greenway related submissions were sent in during the public consultation on the Galway County Plan.

From my own sample, approximately 20% of those were related to the Connemara Greenway with the majority being submissions supporting the Quiet Man Greenway

Great to see such massive engagement from the public

https://galwaybayfm.ie/galway-bay-fm-news-desk/over-2200-submissions-received-on-county-development-plan/

westtip · 05-09-2021 8:08am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117847604#Comment_117847604

Its well over a thousand on the Quiet Many Greenway, Mayo county plan got a 1000 submissions supporting the greenway on the Mayo county plan earlier this year, it's some response from the public, of course the issue is will this momentum of public support even get a hearing on the floor of the chambers in both councils; difficult to say, personally I doubt it and the diehard anti greenway cllrs will continue with the ever more tired mantra we have all got tired of.

Greaney · 05-09-2021 9:22pm

So what are ye all doing for bike week then?

05-09-2021 11:34pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117851107#Comment_117851107

I'll be at your little get-together in Athenry with my fanciest "QMG supporter" t-shirt

Btw, you put the time as 4am for the event, might want to fix that

Greaney · 06-09-2021 10:15am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117851597#Comment_117851597

Thank you.

09-09-2021 1:50pm

The calls for the QMG are getting louder and louder

15-09-2021 7:38pm

Anyone know what she's talking about?

https://galwaybayfm.ie/galway-bay-fm-news-desk/heated-debate-at-county-hall-over-athenry-cycleway/

Greaney · 16-09-2021 10:08pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117896394#Comment_117896394

https://connachttribune.ie/traders-group-voices-opposition-to-athenry-pedestrianisation-proposals/

17-09-2021 12:22am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117901643#Comment_117901643

Are you sure thats it?

Seems to bear no relation to the Galway - Dublin greenway and was an issue many months ago.

I've scoured several of the local rags for the last few months worth of articles and could find nothing so maybe that is what she's on about.

Still, it's bizarre how she has connected the greenway with pedestrianisation of 2 tiny streets. For the life of me I can't see how one impacts the other

Greaney · 17-09-2021 3:49pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117902064#Comment_117902064

I am. I believe she feels that the businesses response to the consultation process regarding Athenry Market Square was so negative that Fáilte Ireland & other bodies that would 'invest' in the town were not impressed & have 'relegated' the town in their minds as a place to develop tourism etc.

Truth is, the consultation process, even if it was flawed, was what it is, and the traders group got the chance along with other community groups who'd signed up to be on Town teams, to see the plans first. Interestingly, their negative response to the plan moved many of the public to put in positive submissions & feedback when it opened up to the public. I got the impression that the team running the project were surprised at the amount of interest with over 260 submissions in the end (both public, private, business & groups)

eastwest · 19-09-2021 11:56am

I see the Kiltimagh funding scandal has been reprised in the Sunday Indo today. I'd love to know the full story, let's hope they keep digging.

westtip · 21-09-2021 3:42pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117910590#Comment_117910590

What I cannot understand from this article and the previous one is the fact the Council in question Mayo, has launched an appeal into the findings of the Audit conducted upon them by Departmental auditors, I know the council has refused an FOI to release the audit, but I am sure that will come out in due course, but for a council to object to the findings of an audit suggests something pretty untoward was going on. It is going to make interesting reading when that audit is finally released into the public domain. The question is would they have returned that €80K for the velorail carts that were funded twice if they hadn't been caught out. Answers on the back of a stamp please......🤔

29-09-2021 11:19pm

Feasibility study about to get started, article below refers to the scope of the study

Decades · 01-10-2021 2:46pm

Sean Canney:

My question relates to Intel and its shortlisting of Oranmore in Galway as a possible location for a multimillion euro manufacturing facility. I am envious of Leixlip in County Kildare when the Taoiseach talks about the number of construction workers alone operating there. The proposal for a facility in Oranmore would create 10,000 jobs in the region. It has also highlighted the potential and attractiveness we have in the west and north and how we can make sure we are prepared to take on this opportunity infrastructure-wise.

The EU recently categorised the north and west of this country as a region in transition, a lagging industrial region and a moderate innovator. This was done on the basis of measuring our performance in that area. There are eight counties involved, including Cavan, which is the county represented by the Minister sitting beside the Taoiseach, as well as Monaghan, Donegal and the five counties in Connacht. A project of the size proposed by Intel will demand that we have support coming into that site in Oranmore, if it comes, and, if it does not come, some other company will come and do it. We need to have the supports in place to deliver the services, construction and workforce to make sure this project, if it comes or there is another of the same scale, will be transformative for the west of Ireland.

With the national development plan being looked at currently - I understand the process is called Review to Renew - it is important we take into account where we are in that region and the infrastructure we need to make sure it can reach its full potential. It has the attractiveness but it needs a lot more than that. We need to provide the infrastructure and the wastewater facilities in the east of County Galway that are required and being promoted by Galway County Council. We need to provide the outer ring road in Galway city to make sure people can move around the city and get into it. We must ensure all the workers coming from the east of the county, where my constituency is, can get into work. More importantly, we also have to look at what other infrastructure is required. Phases 1 and 2 of the western rail corridor are waiting to be done. They would link in Castlebar, Ballina and Westport, as well as Limerick, to support a project such as the one that is proposed. I ask the Taoiseach to consider all of that.

The last point I raise is that we need to create that attractiveness for people to come, live, work and enjoy life in the region. We also must put in place a proper, structured cancer care centre for the region. We need to make sure it has a full research and innovation structure within it. It is important that Ireland be at the heart of the European Beating Cancer Plan.

The Taoiseach

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue.

The first point I would like to make is the Government is very committed to regional development and to reorientating the economic development of the country, rebalancing it and making sure we get greater activity across the regions generally and particularly the west and north west. The Deputy referenced one plant. That is an ongoing issue the company itself will determine but it is interesting from an industrial policy point of view that we are saying to a lot of companies that are investing in Ireland to consider the regions and that we can help to assemble land banks to facilitate significant industrial development.

The Deputy referenced the Minister seated beside me, Deputy Humphreys. More than €42 million has been allocated from the Department of Rural and Community Development. Under the rural regeneration development fund, Portumna received approximately €2.5 million in funding for a project that will redevelop the historic courthouse building and courtyard in the town. In the context of the national development plan, we are very conscious of the issues that have been raised, especially relating to the western rail corridor. All of the Deputies in the House, cross-party, have been in touch in respect of this and, obviously, the Ministers from the region have also. I know the Minister, Deputy McGrath, is fully aware of the desire of all Oireachtas representatives to have that developed.

As the Deputy is aware, the Minister, Deputy Ryan, has launched a strategic rail review that will examine all aspects of interurban and interregional rail and will be conducted on an all-island basis in full co-operation with the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland. It will provide a strategic backdrop to investment in our rail network for the next 20 years and more, and it will consider the potential of currently lightly used lines like Limerick to Waterford, disused lines like the western rail corridor, and the potential for new alignments. The review has just commenced and will be completed within 12 months. As I say, there is considerable advocacy on behalf of this corridor from all of the Ministers and Deputies representing the western region and we will, obviously, continue to pursue that in the context of the national development plan.

I point out the Minister of State, Deputy Troy, is spearheading the development of a new west regional enterprise plan. It is a bottom-up plan that was developed by regional stakeholders, including the local authorities, enterprise agencies, local enterprise offices, regional skills forums and education and training institutes in each region. Under the regional enterprise development fund and the Border enterprise development fund, about €16.7 million has now been allocated to approximately nine enterprise-focused projects for the region. We will continue, in the context of all the various initiatives under different Departments, to advance the economic development of the west and we fully take on board the points raised in respect of the necessity to do that and the importance of the western rail corridor in that context.

01-10-2021 3:38pm

You can always rely on Canney for a good laugh

noelfirl · 01-10-2021 4:25pm

"Phases 1 and 2 of the western rail corridor are waiting to be done."

🤨

Maybe it will come as a pleasant surprise?

sonnyblack · 04-10-2021 9:16pm

Extract from RTE News today about WRC. Is it only lip service I wonder?

Green Party leader Eamon Ryan outlined what he described as the "transformation of the west of Ireland", with the development of the under utilised Western Rail Corridor.

He said he envisaged a rail network going all the way from the quays in Waterford to Limerick Junction with access as far as Ballina.

He also cited the former Athenry to Claremorris line as an example of a link up which he said would be so much more than just a section of railway line for commuters.

He said an inland rail freight port in a place like Limerick junction would form part of what he described as a low carbon future.

The Taoiseach said the Government would "enthusiastically" support expenditure for the Western Rail Corridor going forward.

Pete_Cavan · 04-10-2021 9:36pm

Ah Eamon Ryan, the only environmentalist who gets more excited about a rural rail line which would carry literally tens of people a day, than about a Metro in the capital city which would carry ten thousand. Some say that he's a dreamer, that's just because he has nodded off again.

04-10-2021 9:47pm

He also cited the former Athenry to Claremorris line as an example of a link up which he said would be so much more than just a section of railway line for commuters.

Hey if he wants to pour 250 million into reopening it with a greenway beside it, let him, few would object

Wont happen though

Deedsie · 05-10-2021 12:52pm

Does anyone know when the All Island Rail review report is due to publish its findings? I wonder will the WRC get a mention in it?

05-10-2021 2:46pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117978993#Comment_117978993

ARUP were appointed back in July to carry out the review which is expected to take 12 months. Realistically, I would say it will be done by Q1 2023 at which point it will go to the Minister for review before going to cabinet after which it will be its public release.

In all seriousness its not likely to be made public until some time in 2024.

I'm looking forward to it. The EY & JASPER reports pretty much killed the WRC's chances so this really is the last chance for it. Maybe it does make sense in terms of a full network approach and maybe there is an untapped bulk goods customer waiting in the wings to provide masses of business for freight. Its unlikely but you never know.

In terms of which will the review will come down on the WRC, if they say no, it will become a greenway which will be built upon the trackbed. If they say yes, a greenway will be built alongside at the same time. Either way a greenway gets built, its just a matter of whether or not the rail line will open. I'm happy with either outcome

westtip · 05-10-2021 8:28pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117979696#Comment_117979696

Yep me too, in the meantime lets also allow the northern section of this long distance greenway from Athenry to Collooney to get built. Sligo section Collooney to Charlestown is slowly going through all the pre-planning due diligence, the issue of Charlestown to Claremorris is a fly in the ointment with Mayo coco steadfastly refusing to bend on this one. More pressure needed on them by the East Mayo Greenway Group. It will come about. The ill fated Velorail project is not looking so good to happen, it appears some shenanigans going on in relation to how they got so much money on a fly by night series of grants......Apparently MCC have been gone over with a fine tooth comb in an audit completed on the velorail funding, more fund and games to come on that one.

Pete_Cavan · 05-10-2021 8:55pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117978993#Comment_117978993

Impossible to say when it will be published, it could be completed long before it gets published. Don't be surprised if Ryan sits on the report or sends it back for adjustments if he doesn't like what it says, much like Ross did with the previous report.

Western Rail Corridor / Rail Trail Discussion

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