The Joint Committee on Transport and Communications 8th March 2022 meeting on the All Island Strategic Rail Review was given a presentation about the Western Rail Trail proposals for the Transport corridor running from Athenry in Co Galway to Collooney in Co Sligo. The presentation and debate was given by Mr John Mulligan, Western Rail Trail (on behalf of the Sligo Greenway Co Op, East Mayo Greenway and The Quiet Man Greenway.
A quick report on the Oireachtas Transport Committee meeting today which focussed on a discussion about the closed railway from Athenry to Collooney and the All Island Strategic Rail Review taking place at the moment. Firstly a huge thank you to John Mulligan for representing the views of East Mayo Greenway, The Quiet Man Greenway and Sligo greenway co-op. John ably represented our collective objectives. The committee received a five minute mission statement from John about our objectives and arguments which was backed up by a comprehensive document which was given to all participants laying out our arguments.
We are working on different angles we can take from the meeting but the most positive take is the fact that the views of the thousands upon thousands of people who support our campaign has finally been recognised at the top table. The views of all those people who have made submissions on county plans, regional plans, sent endless submissions and emails and to the 25,000 plus people who have signed our petition we are finally being noticed and our views and opinions in this matter are now part of the debate – thank you all so much for any small effort you have made to say enough is enough over the years.
Our views are now firmly part of the agenda. Thank you also to Ciaran Cannon in truth the only TD who came into the meeting and said it as it as it is, that we are not prepared to have another 30 years of nothing being done with this state asset. Below this post we will attach the .pdf document we gave to all the committee members and will we are sure form part of the submission by the Committee to the company doing the Rail Review. ARUP. They are now listening and the Greenway option is now most certainly on the top table for discussion.
Click on image to view document
Click on image to view document
The Joint Committee on Transport and Communications will meet, Tuesday, 8 March 2022, to continue discussion on the All-Island Strategic Rail Review at 11am in Committee Room 4 of Leinster House.
The Committee will hear from representatives from:
· Western Rail Trail; John Mulligan
· West on Track; Colmán Ó Raghallaigh and Peter Feeney
· Atlantic Economic Corridor Business Forum; Mike Devane
· RL Consultancy LTD; Richard Logue
· North Tipperary Community Rail Partnership; Graham Lightfoot, Edward Kelly and Hassard Stacpoole.
Committee Cathaoirleach Deputy Kieran O’Donnell said: “The Committee is looking forward to continuing its discussions on the All-Island Rail Review and hearing from the attending representative groups on their thoughts and views on the development of future rail services across the island, including inter-city, cross-border and regional services.”