Galway Bay FM Newsroom – A hearing on the upcoming review of All-Island Rail by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications this week was told there was strong cross-party support for the reopening of the Western Rail Corridor.

A detailed submission was made by West on Track and answered questions from MPs and Senators present, including Steven Matthews of the Green Party, Dara Calleary of Fianna Fail, Alan Dillon of Fine Gael, Rose Conway Walsh of Sinn Fein, Independent MP Seán Canney and Fine Gael Senator Seán Kyne.

The Committee heard from Peter Feeney and Colmán Ó Raghallaigh, representatives of West on Track, who were accompanied by Mike Devane of the Atlantic Economic Corridor Business Forum.

Mr Ó Raghallaigh, responding to a question from Deputy Conway Walsh, said the rail project was “shovel ready” and could be completed in three to four years at a cost of 154 million euros.

Mr Feeney, responding to a question from Deputy Matthews, confirmed that Mayo and Galway County Councils were fully committed to the concept of transport-oriented development and that housing development in places like Athenry, Tuam and Claremorris took priority near the central core which included the stations.

Mr. Devane stressed that a fully functioning Atlantic Economic Corridor can only be achieved through the provision of appropriate infrastructure, starting with the urgent use of existing assets such as the rail corridor. He added that this was a decision to be made by those present and all elected members of the Oireachtas.