[dowlingm]

http://www.rte.ie/news/2010/0319/rail.html

Fresh call for 'western corridor' funds

Friday, 19 March 2010 13:10
There has been a fresh call on the Government to commit funds to the next stage of the 'western rail corridor' and the restoration of train services between Limerick and Sligo.

The first phase of the line between Limerick and Athenry, which has been restored at a cost of over €100m, will be re-opened in 10 days.

The latest demand for a firm Government commitment to continue with re-opening the entire Limerick-Sligo line has come from the mayors of eight cities and counties on the west coast and from four Catholic bishops.

They say the decision to restore services between Galway and Limerick from Monday week is a major step forward for the entire region.
They say it is now imperative that the next section from Athenry to Claremorris be pressed ahead as rapidly as possible.

It has been 30 years since passenger trains operated between Galway and Limerick.

In a separate development today, the South-East Regional Authority has come out strongly against proposals by Iarnród Éireann and CIÉ to close or downgrade any part of the region's rail network.

The statement comes after Iarnród Éireann said it was considering closing the Rosslare-Waterford line, which has been in operation for 104 years.