Rail Users Ireland Forum - View Single Post - Closure on the cards. A wanton throwaway of an asset whose potential is being ignored

Mark Gleeson · 08-04-2010, 11:17

We met IE last week and discussed the matter and others (at IE's invitation I might add), in fact we where the the first in to discuss, the crew from Wexford only met IE last night.

Press release issued, positive response on that but the problem is we are not the producers of the radio news. Though the issue of through services from Galway to Rosslare was on the 1 O'Clock on iRadio West on WRC opening day I got interviewed about the WRC and related issues, not WOT.

With NAMA going through there was little interest in the media with a little railway line in Wexford, several print media pieces got deferred or dropped. We have been in communication with the group in Wexford, and indeed with others in Waterford and our proposals met with positive feedback but no one has the money to front the cost of the investment.

Closure of the line is not a done deal, IE might think they are free, but there is a complex set of legal loops which have to be got through which could buy an extra 18 months, by which time we should have a new national timetable, again something Irish Rail has invited us to work with them on. Unlike many others we actually have made positive and proactive proposals to build a proper integrated regional system and the basic idea we have pitched is something Irish Rail seem to accept as the way, but it doesn't have the money.

Money is the problem, a massive problem. The sole reason things have come to a head is the WRC needs 2.5 million. Sure we might risk a high court injunction to shut the WRC for a possible breech of the Transport Act but that is hardly going to win any friends is it? not to mention the legal fees

08-04-2010, 11:17	#59
Mark Gleeson Technical Officer Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Coach C, Seat 33 Posts: 12,669	We met IE last week and discussed the matter and others (at IE's invitation I might add), in fact we where the the first in to discuss, the crew from Wexford only met IE last night. Press release issued, positive response on that but the problem is we are not the producers of the radio news. Though the issue of through services from Galway to Rosslare was on the 1 O'Clock on iRadio West on WRC opening day I got interviewed about the WRC and related issues, not WOT. With NAMA going through there was little interest in the media with a little railway line in Wexford, several print media pieces got deferred or dropped. We have been in communication with the group in Wexford, and indeed with others in Waterford and our proposals met with positive feedback but no one has the money to front the cost of the investment. Closure of the line is not a done deal, IE might think they are free, but there is a complex set of legal loops which have to be got through which could buy an extra 18 months, by which time we should have a new national timetable, again something Irish Rail has invited us to work with them on. Unlike many others we actually have made positive and proactive proposals to build a proper integrated regional system and the basic idea we have pitched is something Irish Rail seem to accept as the way, but it doesn't have the money. Money is the problem, a massive problem. The sole reason things have come to a head is the WRC needs 2.5 million. Sure we might risk a high court injunction to shut the WRC for a possible breech of the Transport Act but that is hardly going to win any friends is it? not to mention the legal fees __________________ Unhappy with new timetable - let us know Last edited by Mark Gleeson : 08-04-2010 at 11:22.