Browne joins chorus of protest over rail cut plan
WEXFORD Deputy James Browne has joined the chorus of protest over any plans to cut rail services in the south of the county.
And he warned the government that any attempt to downgrade rail services in the county will be fiercely resisted.
Deputy Browne made the comments following the publication of a report which suggests that rail services south of Gorey could be withdrawn as early as 2018.
When details of the study were revealed in this newspaper several weeks ago, all the country’s TFs came out against it, but since then the proposal has gained momentum, much to the chagrin of local politicians and business people.
‘ The Government is currently considering the future of the rail network in Ireland and it seems they have earmarked Wexford as a county where they can cut services,’ said Deputy Browne.
‘Fine Gael should be warned that any attempt to withdraw rail services will be fiercely resisted by the people of Wexford,’ he said.
‘ The recent publication of the rail review report suggests closing the rail line south of Gorey. This would leave the people of Enniscorthy, Wexford and Rosslare Strand without a rail service.
‘It would also mean that trains would no longer serve Rosslare Europort which would put what is a vital piece of state infrastructure at risk of closure.
‘It is deeply disappointing that the Government is considering closing rail services at a time when the need for public transport couldn’t be greater. ‘ The Government clearly lacks a coherent strategy for developing the rail network. We need a different vision for growing rail services, one which focuses on making rail travel more attractive and reliable so that passenger numbers can be increased.’ Deputy Browne said Minister Shane Ross should be focusing on increasing the profitability of Irish Rail through passenger growth instead of closing rail lines. ‘It makes no sense to close the rail line in Wexford considering the move towards promoting greater use of public transport.’ ‘I have serious concerns about the future of Rosslare Europort should this proposal come to pass. It is already a vital piece of state infrastructure, and its importance will increase once Brexit formally begins. Many manufacturers are considering using Rosslare as an access point for shipping goods to Europe post-Brexit. ‘And it makes makes absolutely no sense for Irish Rail to close the rail link to Rosslare considering the fact that the port uses this rail link to ship freight, and the demand for this service is likely to increase in the years ahead.’ On Monday, Wexford County Council gave its backing to two motions urgeing Irish Rail to abandon any plans it may or may not have to axe the service south of Gorey. Cllr Davy Hynes said it was outrageous that Irish Rail are considering this. ‘You can’t even a get a train off the ferry in Rosslare and we have the National Opera House and we’re being told this by this crowd,’ he told fellow members.