Following a proactive Westport Town Council campaign, it has been confirmed that a train service from Westport which will arrive in Dublin’s Heuston Station before 9am will commence, along with extra services on the Mayo line, in September.
In a letter sent from the Chief Executive of Iarnród Éireann Mr Richard Fearns, to Labour's Councillor Keith Martin, dated July 14, it stated that additional trains on the Mayo line in new schedules which are “planned to commence on September 27 2009” with an 8.50am arrival in Dublin from Westport as part of this plan.
This letter came in response to Cllr Martin’s email dated July 1 querying a date for the roll out of extra train services as promised by Iarnród Éireann to Westport Town Council. Following a unanimous resolution proposed by Cllr Martin, Westport's Town Clerk wrote to all of Mayo's local authorities and Chambers of Commerce soliciting their support for the campaign—Westport Chamber of Commerce, Castlebar Town Council and Castlebar and Ballyhaunis Chambers of Commerce all conceded their support.
Cllr Martin welcomed the news for both “Westport and Mayo” as improved services are “vital to Mayo as we compete for business, investment and strengthen our tourist appeal.”
The Labour councillor particularly lauded the new early bird service which makes it even easier “to get to and from Mayo from Dublin and to make other train and travel connections such as flights and ferry connections”.
Cllr Martin concluded saying he wanted to thank all the councillors, councils and Chambers of Commerce who lent their support to Westport Town Council’s campaign.
