Green light for Crusheen stop

AFTER years of campaigning, funding has finally been approved to ensure the reopening of a rail stop at Crusheen.
Funds of approximately €1.5m has been allocated for the Crusheen stop on the recently opened Western Rail Corridor. However, a number of works will have to be undertaken before it is operational.
These include alignment works, the development of a new platform, construction of public parking facilities, signal works and the installation of ticketing machines and public lighting.
Iarnród Éireann’s chief executive, Dick Fearn, said the company is pleased with the level of passengers using the reopened section of railway between Limerick and Galway and believes a rail stop at Crusheen would contribute to the success of the overall service.
Defence Minister Tony Killeen pointed out realignment and new level works were undertaken at Crusheen during the construction phase of the Western Rail Corridor ahead of its reopening in March of this year.
“Earlier this year, a local developer offered to make land available for a car park and railway station in Crusheen. This followed on foot of Iarnród Éireann receiving substantial interest in the possibility of a service from Crusheen. Considerable information also was collated by the local community in Crusheen, with considerable assistance from Clare County Council, regarding the potential future use of the proposed rail stop,” Minister Killeen explained.
This information along with undertakings relating to the provision of adequate car parking were submitted to Iarnród Éireann.
“In light of the credible case for the provision of a rail stop in Crusheen, I requested the company to review the potential for such a development. As a result, Iarnród Éireann submitted an application for funding to develop the station in late April. I am delighted that funding has now been secured for the delivery of this vital infrastructure project.
“Crusheen is an ideal location for people coming from Ruan, Corofin, Tubber, Boston and elsewhere in North Clare as well as Tulla and other areas of East Clare,” he added.
Fine Gael deputy Pat Breen welcomed the provision of the rail stop at Crusheen. Paying tribute to the local community for their persistence in campaigning for the project, Deputy Breen said following the successful re-opening of services between Limerick and Galway, including stops at Sixmilebridge, Gort and Ardrahan, providing a stop at Crusheen is the next logical step as it will open up access to the Western Rail Corridor to the entire East Clare area.
“News that the stop will come on track has been helped by the fact that costs have been kept to a minimum with Clare County Council providing the car parking facilities, working in tandem with a local developer,” he said.
A further development on the Western Rail Corridor came this week when it was confirmed that Galway County Council and Iarnród Éireann are finalising a joint planning application for a station at Oranmore.
“The joint planning application will be made in November. Construction of the station will begin early next year, subject to that application being approved, the project is due to be finished before the end of 2011,” said Deputy Frank Fahey, chairman of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport.