Lack of Northern Assembly impacting Western Rail Corridor progress

By Caoimhín Rowland

THE lack of an assembly and executive in Northern Ireland is proving a difficulty when it comes to advancing the Western Rail Corridor, said Minister Eamon Ryan.

The Athenry to Claremorris passage could return to service in 'more than two to three years, but certainly less than 10 years', the Green Party leader said after speaking at the Mary Robinson Climate Conference.

A strategic environmental assessment will have to be published, but when it comes to the all-island dimension, 'we need an assembly up North', he explained.

“I see no reason why we can’t consider it or advance the Athenry to Claremorris aspect,” the Transport Minister stated more hopefully.

Baxter in Castlebar recently moved to freight, and the minister envisions rail infrastructure becoming vital for other multinational corporations in the county. He name-checked Coca-Cola in Ballina, Allergan in Westport and Meissner while he was in Ballina.

“Companies are aware of their climate responsibilities,” the minister said. Not to mention the cost-benefit - freight shipping can be three to four times cheaper than by road.

“Rosslare to Ballina rail freight would be expensive, a lot more than some have stated. I’m going to make a case to the government and I'm confident of the project,” he added.

Undoubtedly the business case is a conduit to getting the project to completion. The Western Rail Corridor is caught in the political crossfires, and cannot be made part of the European Ten-T project as it is being held up by stalemate in Stormont.

The all-island rail review is expected to be published at the end of this month, and an indefinite period would wait for implementation.

Multi-national companies will seemingly be crucial in supporting the reopening of the corridor.