Tag Archives: Ballycar flooding

TRANSPORT Minister Eamonn Ryan has been urged to approve funding to fast-track the completion of flood relief works costing an estimated €17 million on the Galway to Limerick rail line at Ballycar, writes Dan Danaher. The plea was made this week by Councillor Alan O’Callaghan, who wants to see a long-term solution to this long-running saga. Councillor O’Callaghan stressed that regardless of the high cost involved, this work needs to be completed to remove the uncertainty created by frequent closures on this vital piece of rail infrastructure for the West of Ireland. The Fianna Fáil Councillor said one of the difficulties with Ballycar flooding is the long period of time for water to drain away once this area is inundated. Clare County Council senior engineer in the roads and transportation department, John Leahy provided councillors with a briefing on the proposed flood relief works recently. The local authority acted as a facilitator for this project, working in conjunction with the …

IRISH Rail is proposing to open a number of new stations along the Ennis to Limerick railway line, including stops close to the Limerick Institute of Technology and University of Limerick which would improve access for Clare students, and a park-and-ride facility at Cratloe. Chief Executive of Irish Rail Jim Meade outlined the plans for Clare at an Oireachtas Committee on Transport this week following a number of questions by Clare Senator Timmy Dooley. Mr Meade also told the meeting that a technically viable drainage scheme which would prevent the “long running saga” of recurring flooding at Ballycar has been submitted for government approval and funding. And he indicated that Irish Rail would support moves to open a station at Crusheen. Speaking to the Clare Champion following the meeting, Senator Dooley said it is “clear” that Irish Rail is in touch with the issues in Clare. “I am very pleased that Irish Rail are committed to increasing capacity and increasing …

Clare Fine Gael TD Joe Caey has called on Minister of State Kevin Boxer Moran to ensure that discussions get under way immediately to solve the ongoing flooding at Ballycar, Newmarket on Fergus which has closed the Limerick to Ennis rail line on several occasions over recent years. He was speaking after Iarnród Éireann reopened the line this morning following an eight week suspension of services due to flooding. “When he visited Ennis last month, Minister Moran told me he would instruct his own officials from the Office of Public Works to meet with Clare County Council and Irish Rail with a view to coming up with a resolution. Council chief executive Pat Dowling confirmed to me at the same meeting that he would ensure the local authority’s involvement in such a meeting,” Deputy Carey explained. “It’s not good enough that this section of rail would remain closed for extended periods of up to 20 weeks at a time and …