Mayo senator disappointed as rail corridor continues to be excluded from TEN-T Network

MAYO Fianna Fáil Senator Lisa Chambers has expressed disappointment as the Western Rail Corridor has again been left off the important Trans-European Transport Network Regulation (TEN-T).

The General Approach of the TEN-T was agreed by Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan and Minister for State Hildegarde Naughton at the Transport Council in Brussels on December 5.

Projects included on the TEN-T Network are eligible to apply for significant EU funding.

Commenting, Senator Chambers said: “I am deeply disappointed to see Minister Ryan and Minister Naughton neglect to include the Western Rail Corridor on the important EU TEN-T Network. It's worrying that it seems that the rail line wasn't even on the mind of either minister when working on the TEN-T proposal.

“The Western Rail Corridor was removed from the TEN-T Network by former Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar and its continued neglect is a huge shame for the region, especially as we now have a Minister of State from the west in the department.

“Inclusion on the network opens up significant EU funding and financial assistance for projects and inclusion on the network would show the government's ambition for the Western Rail Corridor.”

She continued: “My colleague, Taoiseach Micheál Martin has previously expressed his support for the rail corridor and I would urge the relevant ministers to reconsider and work with the Transport Council to include the Western Rail Corridor on the TEN-T Network. This has been a long running demand from those along the western seaboard and it's time it was reinstated to the network to open up the access to EU funding and allow the project to move forward after many years of neglect.

“While I very much welcome the inclusion of Galway Port on to the network, which will be a boost for the region, it remains disappointing to see the minister exclude the Western Rail corridor.”