Rail links to airports key for West’s future
Making Shannon and Knock airports accessible by train by reopening the Western Rail Corridor, and reclassifying Galway Harbour, are two objectives that should be included in the Ireland 2040 Plan, according to a Government minister.
Seán Kyne, Minister of State at the Department or Rural and Community Development, made the suggestions in a submission on the draft national planning framework.
He did so in his capacity as a TD for Galway West, he said, and his recommendations strive to achieve more connectivity in the West and regional balance in the plan.
Minister Kyne said the Western Rail Corridor “and its continued development must be included as a key point of ‘Accessibility to the North West’ in Ireland 2040 Plan.”
“The Western Rail Corridor, as it stands now, could, with minor investment, create the first rail-connected airport in the country: Shannon Airport. Similarly, a re-opened railway north of Athenry to Sligo could also improve the connectivity of Ireland West Knock Airport,” said Minister Kyne.
He also called for Galway Harbour to be reclassified in the interests of international connectivity.
The draft plan recognises the importance of Dublin, Cork and Shannon-Foynes but he believes Galway and Rosslare, have important roles to play in business terms.
“Galway, for example, is rail-connected and located in the city which makes it potentially one of the most attractive to the substantial tourism cruise sector as well as an option for freight. The current classification system has resulted in a significant stretch of coastline, for the West and North West, being left without a Tier 1 or Tier 2 port.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.