Tag Archives: Irish Rail

FURTHER housing development could be on the cards for Crusheen, with an application for 42 new homes being considered by planners. Proposals from Woodhaven Developments, which have been submitted in recent weeks, represent the next phase of a master plan for lands close to the village centre, on the Gort side. The site is zoned for mixed use and transport utilities. The current application seeks permission for 34 two-storey homes; four two-storey homes with additional attic space and four single-storey houses. In a detailed design statement, Woodhaven outlines how it plans to begin construction on the homes immediately after the completion of the Cluain Fia estate “and the granting of an acceptable planning permission”. The company estimates that completion of the estate will take 36 months and represent an investment of €10.3 million, and the creation of 42 jobs. Discussions on the provision of social housing have taken place with the Housing Section of the council and Woodhaven’s application states …

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 …

A BUSINESS case for a rail stop at Crusheen has been called for by the Cathaoirleach of the Killaloe Municipal District. While council officials say that such a facility should be furthered as part of a forthcoming county-wide transport plan, Councillor Pat Hayes insists that success if more likely through an initiative focusing solely on Crusheen. Addressing this week’s meeting of the Killaloe district committee, Councillor Hayes said that CEO of Irish Rail, Jim Meade, had told the Oireachtas Transport Committee a business case for the Crusheen stop would be considered and that the council is responsible for doing this. “Crusheen is a growing area,” Councillor Hayes said. “It has a wide hinterland stretching to Tulla, Barefield and Ruan. It’s an ideal location for a rail stop.” The Caher native thanked Senior Executive Engineer (SEE) John Gannon for a written response which said that a Transportation Strategy for Clare is to be undertaken to highlight gaps in public transport and …

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 …

ENNIS Railway Station is on track to being more accessible to people with reduced mobility. A new accessible footbridge crossing with stairs and lift is to open at the station in the start of the new year. This follows a €1 million investment by Iarnód Éireann, enabling people with reduced mobility as well as those with buggies and prams to have better access. Councillor Johnny Flynn, who has been campaigning for the move for 10 years has welcomed the development saying, “I welcome the circa € 1 million investment in wheelchair / buggy / pedestrian lifts and cross track bridge opening after Christmas at Ennis Railway Station. This will make rail transport to and from Ennis  more accessible to all by having accessible use of both platforms at all times and improve travel times by eliminating current occasional delays of up to 15 mins when simultaneous safe wheelchair user access is required from platform 1 to both Galway and Limerick …

Clare Fianna Fáil TD  Cathal Crowe is calling for a new transport system to be implemented for Thomond Park as part of a planned €40 million redevelopment of the area around the iconic stadium. Plans have been unveiled for a development including an arena with capacity for 5,000 including a large hotel adjacent to it and further transport options. Deputy Crowe believes there is a key opportunity here to utilise Clare’s proximity to Limerick City in terms of transport options. “I’ve made this call before but I really believe now is an opportune time to consider putting a transport system in place given the level of investment being put into Thomond Park at present,” said Deputy Crowe. “There’s huge scope for a park and ride system in Parteen for example, which would pull a lot of that match traffic out of the system that so many of us rugby fans have endured over the years. “There’s also the option of linking up Thomond …

Clare’s double-winning All-Ireland hurling captain, Anthony Daly has been appointed Community Champion to the Clare Covid-19 Community Response Forum. The appointment follows the nomination of Anthony Daly by Irish Rural Link (IRL) and The Wheel, both organisations working with the Department of Rural and Community Development. Anthony expressed his “commitment to work with the Forum, its two sub-committees and the team supporting the Community Response”. He highlighted the importance of “working in partnership and co-operation with the various community and voluntary groups whose volunteers, at parish level, respond to those in need of shopping, prescriptions, meals and other assistance”. In welcoming the new Community Champion, Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, Clare Colleran Molloy, also praised the volunteers working locally and the collaborative approach of all organisations at county level seeking to serve the needs of vulnerable persons.    

Bus Éireann passengers in County Clare have been making alternative travel plans today as an-all out strike is underway. Among those discommoded are people who normally use bus services to get to work and those who travel from rural areas to Ennis for shopping and business. One regular Bus Éireann passenger from West Clare told The Clare Champion he was unable to make it to work today, which had serious implications for him and his employer. Bus Éireann services across the country stopped at midnight after drivers refused to work under the threat of pay cuts. Management at the transport firm are warning they need to plug a multi-million euro hole in their finances, but their claim that there’s ‘no basis’ for talks led to unions escalating their action. Unions representing drivers say members will engage in all-out indefinite strike until their greviences are addressed. Unions are in dispute with the company over cuts to pay, the casualisation of work and the …