REOPENING the rail stop at Crusheen is something that the Green minister for transport cannot refuse, in the view of Councillor Pat Hayes.
The Fianna Fáil member is calling for a business case to be made for the reopening of the stop on what he described as “the very successful Limerick-Galway line”. “This is a critical thing that can make a difference in climate mitigation,” he said.
Councillor Hayes highlighted the amount of new housing in Crusheen, Tulla and Quin and said reopening the rail stop offered huge opportunities to give people access to public transport.
“We had the transport minister in the county recently for a lovely day of sod turning,” Councillor Hayes said. “There is a lot of debate about transport and this is an issue on doorstep that we need to address ourselves. There was an application to change zoning in this area in Crusheen and we resisted, because we have a real opportunity to improve public transport and connectivity. We’re not asking a whole lot here.”
The Caher man also noted plans to reinstate the rail line from Foynes to Limerick and the recent attendance of 250 delegates at a West on Track forum conference in Tuam, which was addressed by representatives from Foynes and from Knock Airport.
“If the opportunity was there to get the train from Crusheen to Ennis, Gort, Galway, look at what we’d be doing for the environment,” he said. “West on Track and the people of Crusheen are just looking for that small bit of incremental work.”
Councillor Tony O’Brien agreed that people should be able to access public transport. “We should also write to Iaranród Éireann and invite them and ask for details of their plans,” he said. “This stop would mean the world to Crusheen and surrounding area.”
Cathaoirleach, Councillor O’Callaghan agreed that a special meeting should be held with Irish Rail. “The CEO, Jim Meade is a Clare man,” he noted. “This will ultimately be an Irish Rail decision. The Limerick to Galway line is a phenomenal success. The station at Sixmilebridge is well used. It is huge for college-goers.”
Councillor Joe Cooney noted that former Councillor Michael Kelly had “plugged and plugged as hard as he could to try to get station”. “I am fully supportive,” he said. “It would give the area a major advantage.”
Councillor Pat Burke remarked that everyone was “on the Green agenda today and that’s fine”.
He noted the reopening of the Foynes to Limerick line, saying, “You’d have to ask why was it ever closed”. “The Crusheen stop is vital in the overall scheme of things,” he said. “It’s the way forward. All you need is the train to stop, it’s a very small project.”
A written response to Councillor Hayes’s motion was provided by Senior Planner, Brian McCarthy. He said that the current and draft County Development Plans support the reopening of the stop. He noted a forthcoming Clare Transportation Strategy in conjunction with the National Transport Authority (NTA), Iarnród Éireann other stakeholders.
He added that the Limerick-Shannon Metropolitan Area Plan Transport Strategy (LSMATS) is near conclusion, and that for the remainder of the county, the Council’s Transport Department “will liaise with the NTA and Iarnród Éireann with a view to advocating the Crusheen railway station should be reopened”. The response said that, in the meantime, the Council would engage with the NTA.
“Politically and every way, we have an open door if we make any effort at all in the Council, if we make the case,” Councillor Hayes insisted. “In the making of the transport plan like the County Development Plan process, it’s the more rural and peripheral areas suffer again. An immediate letter should be sent to the NTA. This is not a big ask.
“I often think of my mother going through fields to get to station at Crusheen and she was able to get to Cork from there. The West on Track committee is arguing and fighting for the station and I don’t think the Green minister could refuse.”
Mr McCarthy said the Council could advocate directly with Irish Rail. “This has been a hugely positive discussion,” he said. “The reopening of the station would benefit the entire Western rail line from Limerick to Galway, not just Crusheen.”