Bray train changeover plan criticised by Byrne
A DECISION by Wexford County Council to allegedly railroad through a submission to Irish Rail calling for train users to change at Bray without public consultation was criticised by Cllr Malcolm Byrne.
The council had to make its submission imminently and councillors voted in favour of the move at the meeting, by a majority vote.
Director of Services for Economic Development Tony Larkin said the submission highlights Wexford County Council’s opposition to the suspension in railway services as the railway line south of Gorey is critical to the economic and social future of the county. The submission sets out how part of the problem is down to the poor level of service by Irish Rail. ‘It’s a very limited service, which runs four times day. It’s very slow and given the fact the rolling stock is inadequate and of a Dart standard on some of the carriages, this council recommends that Irish Rail invest in its service to increase passenger numbers.’
The submission calls for a main line service to be opened from Rosslare Europort to Bray and for a Dart service to operate every ten to 15 minutes from Bray into Dublin. ‘Depending on the time of day this would involve a high quality rail carriage with increased frequency at peak times to improve travel times, particularly if stops were limited at smaller stations at peak times.’
The council also called for fares to be reviewed to bring Irish Rail in line with other transport providers.
Mr Larkin said the single line is giving rise to infrequency for rail users as Dart trains also use the line. ‘You have to stop to wait for various rain lines to clear up using the transport system into Dublin so there will be no competition (if this is approved). These services should be quicker and cheaper. The council is of the view that there is an urgent need to invest in coastal protection works as parts of the line are subject to coastal erosion in the Wicklow and Gorey areas and at Wexford town and Rosslare.’
The council state that the proposed rail line cut is in contravention of European practice.
‘Any decision to suspend the rail service would be premature in light of the impending report into the national rail network,’ the submission states.
Cllr George Lawlor fully supported the submission, saying that it was fitting that the body were discussing this on the day a BBC television programme hosted by Michael Portillo was being aired about the rail line from Wicklow to Wexford.
‘ The report highlights the importance of the railway line to Wexford town. In the context of Theresa May saying there will be a hard Brexit and the UK exiting the single market the call puts Rosslare at an advantage as it’s the quickest way of getting large goods to Europe without having to pay tariffs along the way (in Britain). To close the rail line would be so short sighted it would be unbelievable. If we close load on, load off freight goes with that. It should be a priority for the future development of the county.’
Cllr Malcolm Byrne said: ‘As a regular user of the service to Dublin the idea requiring passengers to transfer at Bray would mitigate against people using the service. We should request for priority to be given to the mainline rail service from Bray going into the city centre. To require people in Bray to transfer onto the Dart would be a disincentive.’
Mr Larkin said there is only one train service to Wexford every evening, but Cllr Byrne disagreed.
Cllr Byrne said Wexford train users can travel to all stops to Wexford on the 16.37, 17.36 and 18.38 trains from Connolly on major urban rail networks. He said if Irish Rail built an additional line to run alongside the DART services, DART timetables could adjust to meet the need to ensure that Intercity commuter rail is not delayed along existing lines. Speaking afterwards he said the fact that the current line goes inland at Arklow to Rathdrum then back to the coast at Wicklow also results in a longer time spent on the train.
Cllr Barbara Anne Murphy said the council has to oppose any suspension of services from Rosslare to Dublin as train travel is vital to the county. She said the National Transport Authority suggestions form for the public is so convoluted it acts as a disincentive for submissions.
‘ They are doing their best to ensure they don’t get any submissions from the public.’
Cllr Pip Breen said there is no hope of the council getting a mainline train in through Bray.
‘It needs to run from Rosslare to Dublin frequently so that it will benefit passengers getting on or off the boat. At this point it doesn’t meet the boat at Rosslare.’
Cllr Michael Whelan welcomed the report, saying it highlights many of the problems facing the rail route.
Mr Larkin said: ‘Everyone on the council wants to optimise the development of Rosslare Europort. That can’t happen unless the Rosslare Europort line is developed to meet the train. There is a log jam in Bray that needs to be addressed.’
Cllr Oisin O’Connell said there is a failing at management level at Irish Rail.
‘ The lack of proper scheduling at Rosslare Europort has hamstrung the entire Rosslare and a Waterford line,’ he said.
Cllr Deirdre Wadding said it is important for the Rosslare line to be extended to Waterford.
Cllr Johnny Mythen said Rosslare Europort is governed by two acts, the Harbour Act and the Railway Act which is hampering its development. ‘I would like the two acts to be put together. ‘
Cllr Mary Farrell said disabled train users need to be considered. She recommended allocating a certain number of seats to disabled people. ‘People with disabilities have to book and plan ahead. They can’t just get on a train and go. They can be refused access.’
Cllr Keith Doyle said Irish Rail intends to close the line. ‘Why is the fast track starting in Gorey? We should ask them to start it in Enniscorthy which would open the route up to people living in New Ross, Carlow and Kilkenny. Once you get into a car and spend 40 minutes in (to get to Gorey train station) you’ll just go the whole hog (in your car). They are missing out on a huge number of people who are driving to Dublin at 4 a.m. or 5 a.m.’
Cllr Robbie Ireton said the rail line passes along beautiful coastline. He said it is important from a tourism and a freight point of view, adding that if Irish Rail tried to shut down a rail line anywhere else in the country it would be highlighted more.
Cllr Paddy Kavanagh said the Rosslare to Waterford line is being maintained by two people which is encouraging.
County CEO Tom Enright said: ‘We have been looking at this issue for some time now. It’s not just the fact that you have an Intercity train line sharing a line with the Dart; there are other lines on the track also. I suggest that we look for an enhanced and proper scheduling so the mainline service stops at Bray.’ Cllr Byrne said: ‘It’s a beautiful rail line but they are not investing in beauty; it’s about how quickly you can get from A to B. People will not use it if they have to transfer into other services.’
He added that he has noticed some improvements on the Bray to Dublin line, but said the council cannot suggest having Wexford commuters use a train which stops at 18 stops between Bray and Dublin.
Mr Enright disagreed saying that he uses the train and it only takes 35 minutes to get from Bray into Dublin Connolly as Dart trains can accelerate and decelerate quickly.
‘I think the best we can hope for is a proper mainline service from Bray to Wexford.’
Cllr John Hegarty said he accepted the merits of Cllr Byrne’s proposal, adding that it would work in an ideal world.
‘It’s not an unusual concept in Europe to change to a different train. That would make it easier for them to throw it out.’
Cllr Lisa McDonald said the council needs to put its best option first and have an alternative option also.
Cllr Willie Kavanagh alluded to a problem in Oylegate where up to 30 cars are parked every day by commuters using the train service to Dublin.
Mr Larkin said that while he was sympathetic with Cllr Byrne’s viewpoint, he felt it would put Wexford in a ‘ head to head’ position with south Dublin commuters which would not be a good idea.
‘ The service to Gorey is not terrible but the frequency of the trips is very poor.’
The proposed document was passed by majority leading Cllr Byrne to decry the fact that there was no public consultation process for commuters to engage in. ‘ These are the people who actually use the rail service. This will drive the people who use the rail service off the service,’ he said.