Cllr warns that Sligo can’t be left behind in expansion of freight service
“SLIGO can't be left behind” was the warning made by a local Councillor to the Department of Transport regarding the expansion of the freight rail service.
Last week, the Sligo Weekender reported on Sinn Fein's demands of the full restoration of the Western Rail corridor which would bring more passenger services from Sligo to towns in Co. Mayo and Co. Galway. However, there is also an issue regarding freight routes on the rail network and while some progress has been made with an agreement to reinstate the freight line between Athenry (Co Galway) and Claremorris (Co Mayo).
Cllr Thomas Healy expressed concern that Sligo may be missing out altogether.
He said: “I agree that the Western Rail Corridor between Claremorris and Athenry provided an important link for the island's rail freight network, and that the town of Tuam (on the route) would help generate demand for a passenger service. “This is why it's important that Sligo needs to be included and the rail brought to Collooney joining up with the rest of the major towns of the north-west.
“Sligo could be the freight service for the rest of the north-west we can't be left behind if we are going to attract business, investment, and tourism to our region.
“Sligo can't afford to lose out regarding this vital infrastructure for our region.”
Cllr Healy had been responding to a statement from the Department of Transport which itself was a reply to last week's Sinn Fein press conference on the Western Rail Corridor. The statement itself, while mentioning the Athenry to Claremorris link, did not make any mention of Sligo in its plans for rail expansion. It read: “The All-Island Strategic Rail Review is being undertaken in co-operation with the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland.
“The results of the review will inform the development of the railway sector on the Island of Ireland over the coming decades.
“The Review is considering the future of the rail network with regard to the following ambitions: improving sustainable connectivity between the major cities including the potential for higher/high-speed, enhancing regional accessibility, supporting balanced regional development and rail connectivity to our international gateways.
“This also includes the role of rail freight.
“Work on the All-Island Strategic Rail Review (AISRR) is now at an advanced stage and a draft report was published for the purposes of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) public consultation in July.
“The draft Review recommends the reinstatement of the Claremorris to Athenry section of the Western Rail Corridor.
“The draft AISRR, as published in July 2023, notes that the Western Rail Corridor between Claremorris and Athenry provided an important link for the island's rail freight network, and that the town of Tuam (on the route) would help generate demand for a passenger service.
“In this context, this line has been put forward for inclusion in Ireland's TEN-T Comprehensive Network, which means it is eligible for potential European funding. The AISRR provides a high-level indicative cost range of between €400 to €600million (2021 prices) to reinstate the line between Athenry to Claremorris.
“That level of expenditure is not provided for within the current National Development Plan (NDP) and will require significant additional allocations towards the NDP in any future review.
“The public consultation phase of the SEA process concluded on September 29 and submissions are now under review by the Project Team and officials from both jurisdictions.
“Following the SEA process and finalisation of the report, it is expected that it will be submitted for the approval of the Minister for Transport and Government, as well as to the Minister for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland.
“It is expected that the final review will be brought to government in Spring 2024.”