Businesses across east Galway, and the wider economy of the region, stand to benefit from the development of the Galway-Mayo rail link, and the connectivity provided by linking Tuam into the State’s rail network.
The finding comes from a new report, The Atlantic Railway Corridor – The Galway-Mayo Rail Link: An Appraisal, by the economist Dr John Bradley, a research professor at the ESRI and has worked at UCD and the Central Bank of Ireland.
The report examines the feasibility of the Western Rail Corridor Phase 2 and Phase 3, and argues there is a strong business case for reopening of the railway from Galway to Mayo as part of the wider Atlantic Railway Corridor. It envisages a cost of €154 million and a completion date of 2025.
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Dr Bradley’s report contains a socio-economic profile of Tuam which examines the town’s employment and the commuting patterns, and advocates the restoration of Tuam’s rail link as part of a major transport interchange in the soon to be developed ‘Station Quarter’.
'Rare opportunity'
Noting that Tuam is one of eight “key towns” under the National Planning Framework/Regional Spatial Economic Strategy and has shown sustained growth patterns since the last Census period, Dr Bradley said re-opened rail services between Galway and Mayo would offer the broader Tuam area a “rare opportunity” to regain access to the national railway network with two new stations - one in Tuam, the other at Abbeyknockmoy.
“While other towns on the railway corridor between Galway and Westport are already on the network,” he said, “the gain for Tuam and Abbeyknockmoy is one that many similar communities who have lost their railway connectivity over recent decades of railway closures might well relish.”
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It also proposes that an additional park and ride station be developed at Abbeyknockmoy to offer a commuter service to Tuam from east Galway and the wider Roscommon catchment, which currently feeds into traffic delays on the N17.
Anticipated journey times on the reopened railway are 58 minutes from Claremorris to Galway, and 38 minutes from Tuam to Galway. These timings are predicated on the planned upgrade of the Athenry-Galway section together with the allocation of rolling stock capable of travelling at the higher speed limit.
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The report also argues that a railway alternative would be substantially faster than the equivalent Transport for Ireland bus timetables for Mayo-Galway. Dr Bradley’s report also envisages frequent services travelling from Westport/Ballina via Claremorris south to Galway, with intermediate stops at Tuam, a new ‘N63 Park and Ride’ station at Abbeyknockmoy, Athenry, and Oranmore.
'Essential infrastructure'
The report has been welcomed by the Tuam based, Independent Galway East TD, Sean Canney, who said the Government must “take it seriously” and include the recommendations in the National Development Plan.
“This project is shovel ready and could be up and running by 2025,” he said. “Towns like Tuam and Athenry will benefit enormously from the development of public transport, rail freight, and tourism potential for the region. It is essential infrastructure in order to deliver the aspirations of the Atlantic Economic Corridor, including balanced development.”
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Dep Canney [pictured above] said the project “ticks all the Climate Action boxes” as it would help remove a large volume of cars and lorries from roads around the county.
Dr Bradley’s report has also been welcomed by West=On=Track, the community-based campaign aimed at re-opening the Western Rail Corridor.
“It proves beyond doubt that this is a viable and urgently needed project for the economic development of the West of Ireland,” said a spokesperson for the group. “This key piece of infrastructure has lain idle for too long. We now need to see delivery. We are calling on Minister Eamonn Ryan to prioritize this project as he promised to do in September of last year.”
The report was also welcomed by Sinn Féin Galway East representative, Louis O'Hara. “The findings of this report make it clear the Western Rail Corridor needs to be reopened," he said. "If the Government is serious about balanced regional development and ensuring communities in the west have a sustainable future in terms of employment, the Western Rail Corridor must be reopened without delay."
