€1m. investment for Ballina Railway Station confirmed

Confirmation that Iarnrod Eireann is investing over €1 million in Ballina Railway Station's freight yard this year has been welcomed.

Senator Michelle Mulherin said that the funding will allow the renewal of the railway tracks and safeguards the future of the freight yard.

"I am delighted to receive confirmation from Jim Meade, Chief Executive of Iarnrod Eireann, that over €1 million will be spent on the freight yard in Ballina this year.

"It comes on the back of investment in state of the art container stacker equipment which was put in place approximately 18 months ago.

"We already have a very busy freight yard in Ballina which operates 24-hours a day 6 days per week and it pays for itself. It takes containers from multinational companies off the roads with the mainstay of business Ballina Beverages. There is also a pulp wood train twice a week.

"I compliment Matthew Garrett, Station Master, and staff for making it the success story it is."

In a meeting with Mr. Meade, Senator Mulherin also discussed the need for more passenger services into Mayo along with investment in rolling stock to increase capacity on trains which are often overcrowded.

Issues in relation to traffic at Ballina Railway Station on the N26 heading into Ballina and the review of the Western Rail Corridor from Claremorris to Athenry, which is currently being conducted as part of the Programme for Government, were also raised.

"We must continue to invest in our trains as an important part of our public transport particularly as we seek to tackle climate change and decarbonise our economy and society," Senator Mulherin added.