An East Galway TD has welcomed news that a pathway is to be installed across the railway line at Vicar Street in Tuam.
Minister for the Diaspora and International Development Ciaran Cannon has said that the move signals tacit recognition that the return of an operational line is “most unlikely”.
“I very much welcome the news that Irish Rail has given the green light for Galway County Council to install a pathway across the rail line at Vicar Street in Tuam as the safety of children making their way to school and other pedestrians take precedence over all other considerations”.
“It seems remarkable that this development was not put in place before now as the line itself has been in an economically static state for four decades and this move, I believe, also signals tacit recognition that the return of an operational rail-line is most unlikely”.
“Concerns over public safety have ensured that a publicly-owned section of infrastructure is turned to good use,” he said, adding that concerns over the economic future of this region dictate that the larger part of the line should be converted to the benefit of Tuam and the surrounding district with the creation of the Quiet Man Greenway.
“Clearly, the case for a reinstated rail service becomes weaker by the day,” he concluded.
