Thousands could benefit from Limerick commuter plan says Fitzgerald

THOUSANDS of residents in South-East Clare would benefit from a radical new plan unveiled by the Labour Party to develop Limerick City into a commuter rail hub for the Mid-West region, according to a local county councillor. Councillor Pascal Fitzgerald believes the development of park and ride facilities in Sixmilebridge, Castleconnell and Moyross, which is located just a few miles from parts of Meelick and Parteen, would prove hugely beneficial for commuters and householders living in communities throughout South-East Clare.
“People from Killaloe and O’Briensbridge could access a train or tram-train in Castleconnell and save themselves the stress of travelling in congested traffic to and from the city twice a day for work.
“People living in Shannon Banks, Westbury and Parteen could travel to a rail spur in Moyross, which would dramatically reduce the traffic jams on the Corbally Road.
“More investment in public transport is badly needed to take more motorists off our congested roads. This investment in new rail infrastructure is badly needed and the Labour Party has been working on this plan for a number of years,” he said.
Limerick City Labour Deputy Jan O’Sullivan outlined her vision of how Limerick could become a commuter rail city and hub for the greater Mid-West region at a press conference in Limerick on Monday. Deputy O’Sullivan stated that, with an extensive rail network located across the city and county, Limerick could develop a comprehensive commuter system served by trains or new tram-trains that would  link towns and communities from Moyross to Mungret, Raheen to Rathkeale, or Castleconnell to Charleville.
The Clonlara-born deputy believes the proposal by the Shannon Rail Link Partnership to connect Shannon Airport to the Limerick-Ennis line should be re-examined.
She pointed out that the costs of completing this project would now be significantly cheaper and would make the airport and Shannon much more attractive and accessible for people.
She urged Clare County Council to protect existing rail lines in its new County Development Plan and not allow them to be dismantled.
“The location of park and ride sites at strategic locations on the periphery of the city such as Sixmilebridge, Patrickwell, Limerick Junction and Birdhill would encourage more people to switch from their cars to rail as a means of travelling to and from Limerick.
“Further investment in our rail network such as a passing loop at Sixmilebridge, would allow for faster journey times and more frequencies, while the preservation of the Foynes rail link provides huge opportunities for the town and deep water port.
“I am aware that a number of studies are being conducted on behalf of the local authorities presently on our future public transport options. New modern tram-trains which can operate both on rail lines and on street tracks offer huge opportunities for our city,” she said.
She pointed out that Limerick had the potential to become a significant rail hub connecting to other cities such as Cork and Galway and the many towns in between. If the Mid-West is to remain competitive and attractive for companies to locate here, she proposed everyone must work together to integrate existing transport infrastructure.