AN Bórd Pleanála has given the go ahead to plans that include the expansion of the museum at the West Clare Railway in Moyasta.
Jackie Whelan, who is behind the establishment of the facility, said this week’s news is the culmination of a 16 year battle.
“We got the news on Monday. Since we started looking for planning permission, including a road crossing and lights, it has taken 16 years to get this far,” he confirmed.
“It means that we’re going building a new museum there now. It will be 180ft x 100ft. We have the largest fleet of railway antique vehicles in the country. It will on the other side of the road, towards Kilkee and Kilrush. We have full planning permission for a road crossing,” Mr Whelan added.
The government closed the loss-making West Clare Railway in 1961. In 2010, An Bórd Pleanála rejected the expansion of the museum on grounds concerning road safety.
A native of Ennis, Colin McGann has been editor of The Clare Champion since August 2020. Former editor of The Clare People, he is a journalism and communications graduate of Dublin Institute of Technology.