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Western Rail Corridor (all disused sections)

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Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,282 ✭✭✭westtip


    foggy_lad wrote: »
    The problem with online booking is that with Irish Rails system you must get a seat allocated with every booking, this is too difficult for them when dealing with 2 or 3 different types of train especially when they may not know what train is going to be on each service as a train fault can disrupt such systems very easily.

    If they had a ticket only booking system which was free to book it might help but they have not tried this up to now so we must assume it is not possible.

    But surely its not difficult to allocate a coach for every passenger, which must be possible on this route:D


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 878 ✭✭✭rainbowdash


    westtip wrote: »
    Really, is that why he arranged for us to see Alan Kelly, who said in a meeting with us the WRC will not happen in 10/15 years (in political speak - not ever), Yes there is an element of hedging in it, but there is absolutely no suggestion the WRC is ever coming back on anyones agenda. Do I take encouragement from what varadkar says yes and the same about what Kelly. I can assure you the WRC is a dead duck as a railway, it is quite simply not going to happen, Varadkars "currently" is a most definitely - not on my watch comment. With regard to greenways - Kelly cannot comprehend why Mayo and Sligo coco are not fighting for a greenway on the WRC when they (the councils) no full well the railway is not going to happen and have been told as much time and time again.

    So where is this Alan Kelly meeting minuted where all these things he said on our behalf are documented?

    A politician telling you what you want to hear, nothing new there!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,282 ✭✭✭westtip


    So where is this Alan Kelly meeting minuted where all these things he said on our behalf are documented?

    A politician telling you what you want to hear, nothing new there!

    I suggest you drop a line to his PPS, the meeting took place on July 2nd at 2.30 pm in the Ministers office, call and ask his office did it take place. One of his staff took minutes, so drop a line to his office and ask them to double check his diary I am sure you can get a FOI on it all if you want. Actually he didn't say exactly what we wanted - he said he would take certain actions, which I am not going to disclose here, and he told us we have to get the councils on board, but he was pretty adamant the WRC is not going to get a look in whilst this government in on the watch, his phase not get looked at for at least ten years pretty much means - we are certainly not going to entertain it. One thing I will say - he was very favourable to the idea of what Sustrans have done in the UK in cases like this - in which the rail line route remains in ownership of the railway company but an easement right of way for a greenway protects the route in public ownership for ever. He does not want to see a repeat of North Kerry and he could see why a greenway would protect the route in the case of both Claremorris collooney and south of Claremorris, for him anyway it all seemed very logical.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 878 ✭✭✭rainbowdash


    westtip wrote: »
    I suggest you drop a line to his PPS, the meeting took place on July 2nd at 2.30 pm in the Ministers office, call and ask his office did it take place. One of his staff took minutes, so drop a line to his office and ask them to double check his diary I am sure you can get a FOI on it all if you want. Actually he didn't say exactly what we wanted - he said he would take certain actions, which I am not going to disclose here, and he told us we have to get the councils on board, but he was pretty adamant the WRC is not going to get a look in whilst this government in on the watch, his phase not get looked at for at least ten years pretty much means - we are certainly not going to entertain it. One thing I will say - he was very favourable to the idea of what Sustrans have done in the UK in cases like this - in which the rail line route remains in ownership of the railway company but an easement right of way for a greenway protects the route in public ownership for ever. He does not want to see a repeat of North Kerry and he could see why a greenway would protect the route in the case of both Claremorris collooney and south of Claremorris, for him anyway it all seemed very logical.


    Of course the WRC will never open again, definitely not north of Claremorris - ever.

    Of course its logical to create a greenway to preserve disused railway lines.

    But tired and hungry tourists will not be flocking to this Mayo greenway either.

    Midleton - Youghal and Limerick - Foynes would be better prospects in this regard in my opinion.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 879 ✭✭✭TheBandicoot


    Is "tired and hungry tourists" the next "chicken dinners"?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 372 ✭✭TINA1984


    Of course the WRC will never open again, definitely not north of Claremorris - ever.

    Nor south of Claremorris, wouldn't you agree? ;)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 13,549 ✭✭✭✭Judgement Day


    TINA1984 wrote: »
    Nor south of Claremorris, wouldn't you agree? ;)

    Why?


  • Registered Users Posts: 739 ✭✭✭flynnlives


    westtip wrote: »
    But surely its not difficult to allocate a coach for every passenger, which must be possible on this route:D


    never fear! galway co.co are actually doing this with the mind boggling park and ride service from the airport into eyre square.

    I think so far its cost over 100k for two months and no one uses it. A bus leaves every 30 minutes.

    Ive seen the bus come outta the airport with no one on it at least 6 times now. And the recent figures bare this out.

    Only in Ireland could you go to an Airport only to get on a bus!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 878 ✭✭✭rainbowdash


    TINA1984 wrote: »
    Nor south of Claremorris, wouldn't you agree? ;)

    Not really, its certainly unlikely, but if ever oil prices went up enough and central government strategies changed, then there may be demand for more rail services, both passenger and freight.

    And if that scenario came to pass then Claremorris - Athenry connects Waterford, Cork and Limerick nicely with Westport, Castlebar and Ballina.

    As I said its unlikely, and certainly not in the next 10 years, but long term I would retain the infrastructure. We don't want a repeat of having to claim back sections of track as has happened elsewhere.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 17,733 ✭✭✭✭corktina


    Not really, its certainly unlikely, but if ever oil prices went up enough and central government strategies changed, then there may be demand for more rail services, both passenger and freight.

    And if that scenario came to pass then Claremorris - Athenry connects Waterford, Cork and Limerick nicely with Westport, Castlebar and Ballina.

    As I said its unlikely, and certainly not in the next 10 years, but long term I would retain the infrastructure. We don't want a repeat of having to claim back sections of track as has happened elsewhere.

    Oil Smoil...you never heard of electric cars?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,282 ✭✭✭westtip


    Not really, its certainly unlikely, but if ever oil prices went up enough and central government strategies changed, then there may be demand for more rail services, both passenger and freight.

    And if that scenario came to pass then Claremorris - Athenry connects Waterford, Cork and Limerick nicely with Westport, Castlebar and Ballina.

    As I said its unlikely, and certainly not in the next 10 years, but long term I would retain the infrastructure. We don't want a repeat of having to claim back sections of track as has happened elsewhere.

    indeed rainbow and this has always been the "sustrans" argument advocated by SMG, yes leave the route in ownership of the rail company- but protect it and use it, None of us are accurate futurologists but protect the ownership of the valuable strip of land as a continuous unbroken piece of land, that is why the greenway is so important, it is not anti rail it is pro-protection of what belongs to us. Da people.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 372 ✭✭TINA1984


    Not really, its certainly unlikely, but if ever oil prices went up enough and central government strategies changed, then there may be demand for more rail services, both passenger and freight.

    And if that scenario came to pass then Claremorris - Athenry connects Waterford, Cork and Limerick nicely with Westport, Castlebar and Ballina.

    As I said its unlikely, and certainly not in the next 10 years, but long term I would retain the infrastructure. We don't want a repeat of having to claim back sections of track as has happened elsewhere.

    Aren't the places you mention already connected via rail to the north west towns?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,264 ✭✭✭✭Grandeeod


    Whatever about Claremorris - Athenry, what's the grip on Claremorris - Colooney? The latter is an absolute right off and will never have any role whatsoever to play in any type of 21st century transport network. So if we strip back all the antagonism over the WRC route and get real, all we are left with are a few CCs and WOT who are insisting on a railway between Claremorris and Colooney.

    Everytime I contribute here, I feel we are going around in circles. I've only recently watched that 21st century railway rubbish and I see that Colman O' R is still rabbiting on about reopening the WRC to Colooney, so I can only assume that this is still WOT policy. We've already seen that the rebuild of the Ennis-Athenry section (as predicted) delivered low speeds because as officially recognised in an NTA report, that's all it was capable of. Do I need to remind readers that the further north it goes, the slower it gets. I will agree with a retention of the alignment to Claremorris, if it makes them happy, but by christ, retaining the alignment to Colooney is bonkers!

    Can Irish Rail, the Dept, and maybe a raft of railway engineers head over to WOT HQ and sit them down over a cup of tea and slowly explain to them that we are in the 21st century and the alignment from Claremorris to Colooney is as relevant as a fart in the wind. Bring them through it bit by bit and then extend this fact to the CCs who are also on the railway bandwagon. There is absolutely no need for Claremorris - Colooney to be a political handball. The facts are clear. Anybody who thinks this stretch of railway has any relevance needs to be certified. It's embarrassing at this stage that some dude can go on TV and openly state that the WRC should reopen as far as Colooney. Honestly, I pissed myself laughing at him.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,282 ✭✭✭westtip


    Grandeeod wrote: »
    Whatever about Claremorris - Athenry, what's the grip on Claremorris - Colooney? .......

    all we are left with are a few CCs and WOT who are insisting on a railway between Claremorris and Colooney.

    It's embarrassing at this stage that some dude can go on TV and openly state that the WRC should reopen as far as Colooney. Honestly, I pissed myself laughing at him.

    GD, for WOT its all about not giving an inch of "our railway" as they see it. In fact since I started writing on this subject my focus has been Claremorris - Collooney as a greenway - and WOT have focussed on stopping any greenway progessing on this route instead of focussing on Athenry - Tuam (the only hope they have). Now I think the whole dam route should be greenway starting with claremorris collooney, if we get that I will leave the campaigning for the rest of the line as greenway to others. Re arguing for train lines to Collooney and having a good laugh - its the best publicity the greenway can get!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 878 ✭✭✭rainbowdash


    Grandeeod wrote: »
    Whatever about Claremorris - Athenry, what's the grip on Claremorris - Colooney? The latter is an absolute right off and will never have any role whatsoever to play in any type of 21st century transport network. So if we strip back all the antagonism over the WRC route and get real, all we are left with are a few CCs and WOT who are insisting on a railway between Claremorris and Colooney.

    Everytime I contribute here, I feel we are going around in circles. I've only recently watched that 21st century railway rubbish and I see that Colman O' R is still rabbiting on about reopening the WRC to Colooney, so I can only assume that this is still WOT policy. We've already seen that the rebuild of the Ennis-Athenry section (as predicted) delivered low speeds because as officially recognised in an NTA report, that's all it was capable of. Do I need to remind readers that the further north it goes, the slower it gets. I will agree with a retention of the alignment to Claremorris, if it makes them happy, but by christ, retaining the alignment to Colooney is bonkers!

    Can Irish Rail, the Dept, and maybe a raft of railway engineers head over to WOT HQ and sit them down over a cup of tea and slowly explain to them that we are in the 21st century and the alignment from Claremorris to Colooney is as relevant as a fart in the wind. Bring them through it bit by bit and then extend this fact to the CCs who are also on the railway bandwagon. There is absolutely no need for Claremorris - Colooney to be a political handball. The facts are clear. Anybody who thinks this stretch of railway has any relevance needs to be certified. It's embarrassing at this stage that some dude can go on TV and openly state that the WRC should reopen as far as Colooney. Honestly, I pissed myself laughing at him.


    Indeed, having driven alongside on several occassions it really is a no hope.

    A new fairly straight line track Colooney - Claremorris is what would be needed, if ever there was a business case for it.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,282 ✭✭✭westtip


    Great turnout in Curry county Sligo today for the Ear to the Ground production crew that were filming a documentary that will be aired sometime in the Autumn about the proposed Sligo Mayo Greenway. Filmed on the greenway route as it passes through Charlestown and on location at the Yeats County Inn the crew filmed about 30 cyclists on a holiday from Belgium and Germany who would all like to see more Greenways in Ireland, Cllr Joe Mellett of Mayo Coco gave a great interview about the Greenway project, several locals turned up and gave vox pox interviews in support, The SMG campaign were also represented, Two local businessmen Don Dirrane of the Yeats county inn and Jarlath Gantly of Buzzbikes in Collooney were interviewed about the business and economic benefits. Great support and really positive news about the greenway project that seems destined to happen on this part of the Western Rail Corridor.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,264 ✭✭✭✭Grandeeod


    westtip wrote: »
    Re arguing for train lines to Collooney and having a good laugh - its the best publicity the greenway can get!

    I'm still stunned. The person in front of me on the TV said with a straight face that it should reopen to Collooney! This person is a teacher, an educationalist so to speak and to come out with such bunk is an insult to the people watching. Claremorris - Collooney should not ever ever ever reopen. What is wrong with politicians and semi states in this dump of a country, that they cannot call a spade a spade. As for the media......


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,264 ✭✭✭✭Grandeeod


    westtip wrote: »
    Great turnout in Curry county Sligo today for the Ear to the Ground production crew that were filming a documentary that will be aired sometime in the Autumn about the proposed Sligo Mayo Greenway. Filmed on the greenway route as it passes through Charlestown and on location at the Yeats County Inn the crew filmed about 30 cyclists on a holiday from Belgium and Germany who would all like to see more Greenways in Ireland, Cllr Joe Mellett of Mayo Coco gave a great interview about the Greenway project, several locals turned up and gave vox pox interviews in support, The SMG campaign were also represented, Two local businessmen Don Dirrane of the Yeats county inn and Jarlath Gantly of Buzzbikes in Collooney were interviewed about the business and economic benefits. Great support and really positive news about the greenway project that seems destined to happen on this part of the Western Rail Corridor.

    Well done! Don't let the naysayers stop you. The WRC issue is full of shills waiting to strike out at anyone that speaks negatively about the railway. The funniest bit are posts from people that appear not to support the WRC but condemn the Greenway idea at the same time!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,264 ✭✭✭✭Grandeeod


    Indeed, having driven alongside on several occassions it really is a no hope.

    A new fairly straight line track Colooney - Claremorris is what would be needed, if ever there was a business case for it.

    Yes it is a complete no hope. Regarding a "new fairly straight line track", the entire WRC would have needed that, to be in any way effective. And it will be a long long long time before any semblance of a business case could be provided for it. If ever.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,282 ✭✭✭westtip


    Grandeeod wrote: »
    I'm still stunned. The person in front of me on the TV said with a straight face that it should reopen to Collooney! This person is a teacher, an educationalist so to speak and to come out with such bunk is an insult to the people watching. Claremorris - Collooney should not ever ever ever reopen. What is wrong with politicians and semi states in this dump of a country, that they cannot call a spade a spade. As for the media......

    Don't worry GD their influence is on the wain - this programme was sometime ago -running it again plays right into the hands of the greenway campaign, politicians, local and national politicians are now actually calling a spade a spade and they won't put up with this bunkum from the person you mention above who no longer speaks for the community.:

    Swinford vision for the future produced by Mayo county council is about to be distributed to the public; 1300 people took part in this survey and said they want a greenway on the old railway, 300 people made written submissions to Mayo coco asking for a greenway - the railway story from Claremorris to Collooney is over. Tis history GD history.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,282 ✭✭✭westtip



    thanks for posting this up TGP more grist to the mill, facing reality and trying to catch up with the UK and rest of Europe where this opportunity was seized years ago.
    This bit from the article says it all, hopefully it was read by our county councillors in sligo mayo and Galway.
    Eco-tourism, which attracts walkers and cyclists, has become a major niche market in Ireland. A key ingredient are green routes that are way off the main roads – and that is where Irish Rail comes in.

    The Department of Transport, South Kerry Partnership and Kerry County Council have commissioned a feasibility study into creating a 26km cycleway between Glenbeigh and Renard using the old abandoned railway line.

    The project is a win-win for everyone, with a disused line being converted into a profitable rambler and cycle way.

    Typically, it costs roughly €25,000 a mile to convert a route into a green rambler way with full payback within six years. A study by Trinity College into the 42km-long Great Western Greenway, which runs from Westport to Achill, showed it was found to generate €1.1m for the local economy every year.

    If the paths were rolled out across all the old disused railway routes, it would unlock the entire country, enabling ramblers and cyclists to travel from, say, Dublin city to remotest Achill Island without ever meeting a car.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,739 ✭✭✭serfboard


    From RTE:
    RTE wrote:
    Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar has opened a new train station in Oranmore, Co Galway.

    The new station will help people commuting from Galway to Dublin.

    The previous station in Oranmore was opened in the 1850s, but it closed in 1963.

    Mr Varadkar said: "It will be a huge benefit to commuters on the Galway line, who can reach the city centre in just 10 minutes.

    "Fifty years ago last month regular scheduled passenger services ceased calling at Oranmore. Now the train calls at Oranmore once again."
    Heard Barry Kenny on Morning Ireland this morning talking about this and the Galway-Limerick line.

    He said that commuting numbers to Athenry are up 17% and that this will help bring more commuters onto the line. In fairness to him, he didn't try to disguise that Galway-Limerick is doing badly (how could he, I suppose), but did say that car parking charges have been removed at Gort, Ardrahan and Craughwell. He talked mostly about commuters on the line, leading me to conclude that that's where their effort will be and not on Inter-"city".


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,282 ✭✭✭westtip


    Great coverage of the greenway project on Tommy marren show on Midwest Radio today and followed up with a news report on their lunchtime news saying the Western Rail corridor won't be considered between Claremorris and collooney for 30 years. Not a national story but will be well covered in mayo and heard by many councillors and hopefully the message is sinking in with all the media coverage the greenway project on the WRC is getting.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,304 ✭✭✭Lucena


    corktina wrote: »
    Oil Smoil...you never heard of electric cars?

    How are we going to fuel the electric cars?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,282 ✭✭✭westtip


    Lucena wrote: »
    How are we going to fuel the electric cars?

    We will plug them into our charger every night and use nuclear generated power purchased from the UK grid and pretend we are nuclear free - apparently we also have ability to produce electricity using wind and tidal power:D JIC you have not noticed all those windmills around the country.

    Midwest coverage in the tommy marren show here http://www.midwestradio.ie/index.php/podcasts

    it was broadcast about 9.45 am

    Also not sure if this story got posted on the thread about Varadkar pulling the plug on the cost of the Crusheen Stoppover/halt

    http://www.irishexaminer.com/archives/2013/0708/world/varadkar-derails-2m-stop-for-village-of-864-236171.html


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 17,733 ✭✭✭✭corktina


    Lucena wrote: »
    How are we going to fuel the electric cars?

    400 miles of cable, a three pin plug and a windmill...obviously.


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,071 ✭✭✭purplepanda


    westtip wrote: »

    Also not sure if this story got posted on the thread about Varadkar pulling the plug on the cost of the Crusheen Stoppover/halt

    http://www.irishexaminer.com/archives/2013/0708/world/varadkar-derails-2m-stop-for-village-of-864-236171.html

    "The numbers work out at just under 520 passengers per week, 75 per day, or seven passengers per service between Ennis and Athenry."

    WTF?? :eek: It just gets more & more crazy, & they want to open another station to waste even more cash which could have been used elsewhere!!! :mad:


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,610 ✭✭✭eastwest


    corktina wrote: »
    400 miles of cable, a three pin plug and a windmill...obviously.
    With the western rail corridor extension (lead) I'd say.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 20,373 ✭✭✭✭foggy_lad


    "The numbers work out at just under 520 passengers per week, 75 per day, or seven passengers per service between Ennis and Athenry."

    WTF?? :eek: It just gets more & more crazy, & they want to open another station to waste even more cash which could have been used elsewhere!!! :mad:
    It used to be 8 passengers per service, the new times must not have suited everybody.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,349 ✭✭✭✭starlit


    Have they not opened up a new train station in oranmore?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 17,733 ✭✭✭✭corktina


    they have, Oranmore is not on the Western Rail Corridor though. Now they may try to manipulate the figures by having the Galway to Limerick only trains stop there ( I haven't seen a timetable yet) but the new station will not change the fact that the "new" section re-opened carries just 7 passengers per train on average (this must mean that some trains are in fact running empty)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,282 ✭✭✭westtip


    corktina wrote: »
    they have, Oranmore is not on the Western Rail Corridor though. Now they may try to manipulate the figures by having the Galway to Limerick only trains stop there ( I haven't seen a timetable yet) but the new station will not change the fact that the "new" section re-opened carries just 7 passengers per train on average (this must mean that some trains are in fact running empty)

    Indeed - what the oranmore station does show that - the money spent on the WRC phase 1 could have been spent on double tracking/loop passes on the Athlone - Galway section to allow Express Dublin Galway trains -to go unhindered into Galway from Athlone (maybe one stop at either Ballinasloe or Athenry) and have a stopping service between Athlone -Galway going back and forth for local stops.The Varadkar press release said:
    The Station will be served by a mixture of Galway/Dublin & Galway/Athenry/Limerick services, with 23 services calling at the station daily (Mon-Fri), 22 on Saturdays, and 15 on Sundays. The journey time from Oranmore to Galway is just 7 minutes, and customers can travel to Limerick, Dublin and a range of intermediate stations also
    Which means of course both Dublin-Galway and Limerick-Galway are going to get 2/3 minutes slower and the Dublin Galway intercity services from Ballinasloe inwards double up as commuter/local services stopping four times: Ballinasloe, Attymon, or Woodlawn, Athenry, Oranmore after Athlone.

    IE cannot compete with buses that are now cheaper and quicker than the train that simply go: Eyre Square - non stop on M6/4 Dublin city centre. The funny thing is - I can see the scenario when people with access to Oranmore station - may shuttle in on the good local train service they are going to have, and jump on the bus to Dublin once they are in the city centre, it may actually be a quicker (and cheaper) total journey time. The real irony of this - they will all be counted by some folks as WRC passengers! The thing is though will they be WRC passengers if they get on a train into Galway that has come from Dublin, or are they only WRC passengers when the get on trains originating from Limerick/Ennis.


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,610 ✭✭✭eastwest


    westtip wrote: »
    Indeed - what the oranmore station does show that - the money spent on the WRC phase 1 could have been spent on double tracking/loop passes on the Athlone - Galway section to allow Express Dublin Galway trains -to go unhindered into Galway from Athlone (maybe one stop at either Ballinasloe or Athenry) and have a stopping service between Athlone -Galway going back and forth for local stops.The Varadkar press release said:

    Which means of course both Dublin-Galway and Limerick-Galway are going to get 2/3 minutes slower and the Dublin Galway intercity services from Ballinasloe inwards double up as commuter/local services stopping four times: Ballinasloe, Attymon, or Woodlawn, Athenry, Oranmore after Athlone.

    IE cannot compete with buses that are now cheaper and quicker than the train that simply go: Eyre Square - non stop on M6/4 Dublin city centre. The funny thing is - I can see the scenario when people with access to Oranmore station - may shuttle in on the good local train service they are going to have, and jump on the bus to Dublin once they are in the city centre, it may actually be a quicker (and cheaper) total journey time. The real irony of this - they will all be counted by some folks as WRC passengers!

    It doesn't really matter how they count them. Alan Kelly's interview on RTE a week or so back clearly spelled out that all decisions on public transport spending from now on will be based on real performance measurement. That more or less means that this line is screwed.
    When you add that to the news broken on Midwest radio and other
    media this week, it is clear that the WRC project is dead in the water.
    They really need to look at putting a cycle trail alongside the Athenry Ennis line, and extending the trail to Collooney. At least then people will be using the route, and cyclists might bring a bit of business to the Ennis Athenry line for return journeys.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,349 ✭✭✭✭starlit


    corktina wrote: »
    they have, Oranmore is not on the Western Rail Corridor though. Now they may try to manipulate the figures by having the Galway to Limerick only trains stop there ( I haven't seen a timetable yet) but the new station will not change the fact that the "new" section re-opened carries just 7 passengers per train on average (this must mean that some trains are in fact running empty)

    Oh is it not? Will they connect to Dublin trains?

    They haven't many Galway limerick train connections it mainly buses to get to Galway city from limerick.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,282 ✭✭✭westtip


    Yet more coverage about the greenway route on the Western Rail Corridor this one is from the Tuam Herald today. Great article which asks Galway coco a few searching questions:


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,337 ✭✭✭dowlingm


    eastwest wrote: »
    Alan Kelly's interview on RTE a week or so back clearly spelled out that all decisions on public transport spending from now on will be based on real performance measurement.
    Like when the train from Limerick to Nenagh in the evenings turns for home at Birdhill because it runs out of passengers, Minister?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,282 ✭✭✭westtip


    Barry Kenny of Irish Rail says Greenways protect Rail alignments on old railways: The Right Hook August 1st Newstalk

    Barry Kenny of Irish Rail interviewed on The Right Hook on newstalk yesterday evening. When asked about using the old rail lines as Greenways he said "It actually protects the alignment in case we ever want to use them as railways again"

    Podcast here go to about 23 minutes into the show: http://www.newstalk.ie/player/listen_back/9/3021/01st_August_2013_-_The_Right_Hook_Part_3

    • Also note how he talks about the Limerick case study and how it is being used to extend the greenway in Limerick/North Kerry to increase tourism – they seem to know about Tourism in Kerry
    • Note how positive Barry Kenny is about this idea to protect the alignment and how Irish Rail are willing to work with local councils.


    Thanks for listening if you tune into the podcast


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,337 ✭✭✭dowlingm


    "you're amazing" - George firmly under the Comical spell.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 13,549 ✭✭✭✭Judgement Day


    westtip - you've hit a new low quoting that spin doctor to back up your arguments. Barry Kenny's 'amazing' knowledge of the Irish railway system....the mind boggles. CIE/IE would happily see the entire rail system converted to greenways. :D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,282 ✭✭✭westtip


    More coverage in Western media about the Western Rail Corridor - what next


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,264 ✭✭✭✭Grandeeod


    Buffers. I like that!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,282 ✭✭✭westtip


    Sligo champion covered the greenway on the WRC story this week with the information about the Ear to the Ground shoot on the greenway route about two weeks ago. Interesting that the Champion didn't get any comment from WOT for this article, perhaps the Champion only sees the Greenway as the possible contender now.


  • Registered Users Posts: 239 ✭✭sonnyblack


    westtip wrote: »
    Yet more coverage about the greenway route on the Western Rail Corridor this one is from the Tuam Herald today. Great article which asks Galway coco a few searching questions:

    I'm new enough to Boards as a member and have stumbled across this thread. I'm finding the whole railway/greenway debate very interesting. One question though. Varadkar seems to be saying that overlaying greenways on old railway lines can only be considered if the local council is supportive. All the Galway councillers are against the proposal. Aren't they?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,282 ✭✭✭westtip


    sonnyblack wrote: »
    I'm new enough to Boards as a member and have stumbled across this thread. I'm finding the whole railway/greenway debate very interesting. One question though. Varadkar seems to be saying that overlaying greenways on old railway lines can only be considered if the local council is supportive. All the Galway councillers are against the proposal. Aren't they?

    Probably one for Tuam Greenway project to answer, but yes an overwhelming majority of Galway councillors voted against the jobs and tourism potential a greenway could offer from Tuam northwards recently - TGP should come in and make a post they are closer to the anti-tourism stance taken by Galway coco.

    but you are quite right unless the councils adopt a pro-tourism stance and support the greenway proposals on the WRC and actually go and knock on Varadkar and Kellys door saying this is what the people of the west want we won't get the greenways we are asking for to protect the rail route. Of course since Galway coco made their anti-tourism views known and voted against the Tuam Greenway project we have all learnt over the past few weeks that the extension of the WRC north of Athenry is not going to happen, that Varadkar and Kelly both support the development of greenways on old rail routes - and Irish Rail will welcome any interaction with any councils who support greenways on old rail lines running through their respective counties. Now Galway county councillors are aware of the situation they may reconsider their anti-tourism stance when they return to the chamber in September - but who knows!


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 17,733 ✭✭✭✭corktina


    they are against it now, but public opinion seems to be moving in favour of greenways and the politicians will follow the votes....they wrongly perceived that being pro-rail would make them popular...being anti-greenway may well make them the opposite!


  • Registered Users Posts: 50 ✭✭Tuam Greenway Project


    sonnyblack wrote: »
    I'm new enough to Boards as a member and have stumbled across this thread. I'm finding the whole railway/greenway debate very interesting. One question though. Varadkar seems to be saying that overlaying greenways on old railway lines can only be considered if the local council is supportive. All the Galway councillers are against the proposal. Aren't they?

    Galway County Council voted against funding for a 5km Greenway as part of the Cycling Strategy. As long as Government and Ministers hold out even the slimmest of hope of a reinstatement of the rail line the councillors have little choice but to vote with "stated council policy". The biggest obstacle to movement from nothing ( in either direction ) is the electoral system which allows far fetched promises from councillors and TD's to be flogged out in a 5 yearly cycle. We had hoped that Minister Varadkar or Kelly might be the ones to show a bit of courage and vision. We haven't given up on them yet. And if its a case of 12 Angry Men in Galway County Council- we have our Henry Fonda well ensconced.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,069 ✭✭✭what_traffic


    Strange behaviour from Galway County Council considering that they have been putting in the work on creating a 55km Greenway from Oughterard to Clifden. Note though that it it Failte Ireland that are putting money towards the construction of the Connemara Greenway.

    They put €2 million towards the Great Western(Westport to Achill) Greenway
    http://www.failteireland.ie/Utility/Media-Centre/Greenway-Proves-the-Right-Way-for-Tourism.aspx

    Is it the County Executive or the Cllr's that is the REAL barrier here?
    Perhaps the North Galway Cllr's will need to see the success of the Connemara Greenway in action? Cllr's in the Connemara Ward are far more likely to value Tourisim though considering it's importance in the Connemara region.
    Is Failte Ireland needed to get on Board regarding the Tuam to Colloney Greenway? If you could get a promise from them to fund say 500,000 to start with - the local Cllr's would be perhaps reluctant to be seen as a barrier to NOT spending money in the locality. i.e the jobs in construction and materials that would need to be purchased in creating the Greenway


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,282 ✭✭✭westtip


    Galway County Council voted against funding for a 5km Greenway as part of the Cycling Strategy. As long as Government and Ministers hold out even the slimmest of hope of a reinstatement of the rail line the councillors have little choice but to vote with "stated council policy". The biggest obstacle to movement from nothing ( in either direction ) is the electoral system which allows far fetched promises from councillors and TD's to be flogged out in a 5 yearly cycle. We had hoped that Minister Varadkar or Kelly might be the ones to show a bit of courage and vision. We haven't given up on them yet. And if its a case of 12 Angry Men in Galway County Council- we have our Henry Fonda well ensconced.

    I think the only Minister supporting the WRC these days is Michael Ring - he doesn't want to see the greenway network expanded in Mayo or the rest of the west for fear it will "steal" cycling tourists from Westport. He therefore supports the WRC knowing it will never be delivered but stops the greenway from happening protecting the mayo greenway as the only greenway in the west. One thing is for sure he is staying on the fence - I think Varadkars and Kellys views are known on this one at this stage.


  • Registered Users Posts: 50 ✭✭Tuam Greenway Project


    Strange behaviour from Galway County Council considering that they have been putting in the work on creating a 55km Greenway from Oughterard to Clifden. Note though that it it Failte Ireland that are putting money towards the construction of the Connemara Greenway.

    They put €2 million towards the Great Western(Westport to Achill) Greenway
    http://www.failteireland.ie/Utility/Media-Centre/Greenway-Proves-the-Right-Way-for-Tourism.aspx

    Is it the County Executive or the Cllr's that is the REAL barrier here?
    Perhaps the North Galway Cllr's will need to see the success of the Connemara Greenway in action? Cllr's in the Connemara Ward are far more likely to value Tourisim though considering it's importance in the Connemara region.
    Is Failte Ireland needed to get on Board regarding the Tuam to Colloney Greenway? If you could get a promise from them to fund say 500,000 to start with - the local Cllr's would be perhaps reluctant to be seen as a barrier to NOT spending money in the locality. i.e the jobs in construction and materials that would need to be purchased in creating the Greenway

    Our informed understanding is that the Executive are pro greenway. The Cllr's are the barrier. The Tuam electoral area contains 7 ( soon to be 8) Cllrs and the Council as a whole would probably row in behind a majority of these. With one supporter already on side, we just need another 3 or 4 to see the merits and the blockade will be broken. With an election just around the corner TGP will be making sure that this is a real live local issue. The candidates who choose to oppose better have good explantions of their oppostion to the greenway ready as the people of north Galway won't be as accepting of bluster and guff this time around.


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