Missed Opportunity for Western Rail Corridor

Tuam to Claremorris line removed from EU funding application

LOCAL TD Seán Canney has described the decision to omit the Western Rail Corridor off the Trans-European Transport Network Regulation (TEN-T) funding scheme as a “missed opportunity”.

However, speaking after this week’s announcement, Deputy Canney felt this is merely a bump in the road and firmly believes there remains a strong political will towards reopening the line from Athenry through Tuam and Claremorris and onto Sligo.

Projects included on the TEN-T Network, which was agreed by Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan and Minister for State Hildegarde Naughton at the Transport Council in Brussels yesterday (Tuesday), are eligible to apply for EU funding worth up to 20 per cent of the overall project.

Before any financial aid can be granted, the government must be committed to the project and have the required remaining funds available to begin works straight away.

There has been growing frustration regarding the delay in signing off on the All-Ireland Strategic Rail Review – a report that will examine the benefits of reopening the Western Rail Corridor as well as the feasibility of other projects throughout the island – and have given no firm commitment regarding the line.

As a result, the government is unwilling to apply for funding towards the Western Rail Corridor…

For more, check out this week’s Tuam Herald or log onto our digital edition HERE