1996/99
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Mayo rail services face shock closure
27 May 1998
LAST DITCH BID TO SECURE £40m. INVESTMENT IN DECLINING NETWORK
By Tom Kelly
RAIL services in Mayo will be shut down within five years, according to a shock political disclosure.
A member of the Oireachtas from the county revealed the section of the line serving Westport and Ballina from Athlone was due to be closed because of declining safety standards.
Now Senator Paddy Burke has secured the backing of Mayo County Council in attempting to secure a £40m. investment in the region's rail network 'before it is too late.'
He pointed out a major review of the rail services was due to take place at government level on June 20th, and he feared the worst.
"There have been three derailments on the line between Athlone and Mayo over the past number of years. This is totally unacceptable, and there are serious political concerns that a disaster is waiting to happen."
Mayo County Council want a guarantee that significant funding will be made available for the line as a matter or urgency. Otherwise, Iarnród Eireann could be left with no other option but to discontinue its service to the West of Ireland.
The council have requested a joint meeting with Transport Minister, Mrs. Mary O'Rourke, and Finance Minister, Mr. Charlie McCreevey, to get a clear indication of their commitment to the development of the line between Athlone and Westport.
Said Senator Burke: "The LUAS project earmarked for Dublin is not going ahead now. Some of the funding set aside for LUAS should be diverted into the line serving Mayo."
If the council is unsuccessful in getting an assurance from the Irish Government, they will take their case to the European Parliament in Brussels.
"This is a matter of huge importance for the region," added Senator Burke.
ECONOMIC LINES
Senator Frank Chambers said the case to Dublin and Brussles would have to be made along economic lines.
"Our application for funding will only stand up if the point is made that we want to develop our railways to transport our timber supplies out of the county. At the present time, the transport of timber is causing major destruction on our roads."
Mr. Sean McEvoy said the West Regional Authority sought to meet Minister O'Rourke on the issue on several occasion. . .but each time the meeting was postponed.
"It is vital that we make a strong case at a time when LUAS money is lying around," he added.
Mr. Michael Ring, T.D., said there was no commitment by the Government to develop the Athlone to Westport line.
"Their commitment is to the Dublin\Sligo line. There is no point in meeting the Minister. We should go to European Parliament direct."
Mr. Des Mahon, county manager, said he was disappointed the county did not have a rail services to keep apace with the growth of the region.
He cited the example of Knock Shrine which attracted 2.5m. visitors every year, but the town was not provided with a train service.
Connaught Telegraph - News & Sport - May 1998
