Advocates for a light rail system for Galway have queried how passengers from expanded train services are expected to traverse the city.
The GLUAS Light Rail for Galway team have warmly welcomed last week’s partial opening of the redeveloped Ceannt Station on Eyre Square, but warned that an influx of rail users seeking taxis and bus transfers may only add to traffic congestion in the core of the city.
It wants room for a future light rail interchange included in the €70 million transport hub, set to officially open this summer.
When the revamped station is fully operational in August, it will boast five platforms for commuter and intercity train services, up from two, vastly increasing the number and frequency of train arrivals, and the number of passengers seeking onward travel.
Meanwhile, Iarnród Éireann this week confirmed it is commencing construction of a 1km-long section of track allowing intercity trains to bypass Oranmore, and a new, 185m-long, northern platform at Oranmore Station. The platform will connect via an underpass to the carpark, and with a dedicated pedestrian and cycle path northward as part of the Garraun area Urban Framework Plan to build 700 housing units between Roscam and Oranmore.
“The single-track line between Athenry and Galway is a major bottleneck for services in the region, and the development of the extra platform and track at Oranmore will make it possible to run more frequent trains along this section,” said Minister of State with responsibility for Rail, Seán Canney. “This will benefit the existing services on the Galway to Dublin, and Galway to Limerick lines, and will complement the ongoing works at Ceannt Station, where additional platforms were opened earlier this month,” he said.
Minister for Education, and Oranmore native, Hildegarde Naughton, said she was pleased to have secured €12 million for the project, which will double Oranmore Station’s capacity. “The redevelopment… will include the addition of a second platform and a 1km section of double-track, or loop, that will increase the capacity of the commuter line between Athenry and Galway. Elevators will also be installed to make it accessible to all. Landscaping works will also be carried out,” she said.
“It’s great for Galway, for its residents and visitors, to see this vital piece of transport infrastructure come to fruition after many years in the planning,” said Gluas group chairman, Brendan Holland. “When all five platforms in Ceannt, and some improvements to the line and the station are complete, and the Western Rail Corridor opens, the upgraded station will enable thousands of passengers every hour to use rail services in comfort.”
Holland, a long-time retailer off Eyre Square, says Luas stops outside intercity train stations in Dublin serve the travelling public well, and that Transport infrastructure Ireland (TII ) is setting aside space for a tram stop to serve Kent Station, as Cork city’s rail network is being upgraded by Iarnród Éireann.
“[These stations are] being improved to avoid a very obvious traffic congestion problem. Why is it that a major bottleneck in public transport in Galway can’t be foreseen and avoided?
“With passengers arriving in much greater numbers [to Galway], it begs the question as to how to get them from Ceannt Station to their final destinations. Buses and taxis will not be able to cater for this larger influx of commuters, and visitors, and this will add to the traffic congestion.
“Galway needs light rail. We should plan for it now, before more time and money is wasted trying to firefight the problem in the future,” he said. Holland called on Minister for Transport, Darragh O’Brien, to fast track a preferred route study, as has been completed for light rail in Cork city.
In response to reporting in this newspaper last week concerning poor signage at Ceannt Station as it is remains under construction, a spokeswoman for Irish Rail said new signs were on the way.
Pre-booked passengers on trains to/from Galway are being advised by email of a change of station entrance and exit, and station staff are on duty to direct rail users, she said. Entrances for rail users from the bus station side are currently closed.
