An electrified commuter rail service serving and connecting Tuam, Athenry and Galway; faster intercity trains linking Galway and the capital; and direct rail services serving Shannon Airport are key components of the Government’s new all-island rail strategy announced last evening. (Wednesday )
The final report of the All-Island Strategic Rail Review was published by Transport Minister Eamonn Ryan and Northern Ireland’s Minister for Infrastructure John O’Dowd and is designed to inform decisions by the administrations on both sides of the Border on investment in the rail sector up to 2050.
A map of the proposed rail plan.
It is estimated that the full implementation of the review over the next 26 years would cost between €35 billion and €37 billion at last year’s prices, with the costs to be shared by the two jurisdictions. That would amount to an average annual spend of some €1 billion in the State and £310 million (€368 million ) in Northern Ireland.
Commuters from one city to another are being promised that their journey times will be significantly reduced through higher speeds of up to 200kph. This is set to make the rail option more attractive to commuters between Dublin and Galway.
The commitment to restore what is in effect the Western Rail Corridor will be welcomed by those who have campaigned for its retention for decades. The electrified service and the provision of extra platforms at the revamped Ceannt Station will enable more frequent commuter services to service the city at more regular intervals.
