Sinn Féin commit to Western Rail Corridor in Alternative Budget
Reflects the outcome of the All-Island Rail Review.
Sinn Féin MEP Chris MacManus has reiterated his party’s commitment to reopening the Western Corridor.
The Midlands Northwest representative was speaking after the publication of Sinn Féin’s Alternative Budget for 2024, which includes capital funding to begin the process of reopening the rail line.
MEP MacManus said: “In our Alternative Budget for 2024 Sinn Féin have committed €6.3 million to progress the Western Rail Corridor and Navan rail line. This is initial capital funding to kickstart the Western Rail Corridor project.
“Our Alternative Budget is fully costed by the Department of Finance and is the budget that Sinn Féin would introduce if in Government. In Government we are fully committed to the reopening of the Western Rail Corridor and would begin preparatory work immediately.
“This reflects the outcome of the All-Island Rail Review, which has recommended reopening of phases two and three of the Western Rail Corridor from Athenry to Claremorris.
“The rail review recommendations are a welcome first step, but if we are to realise the full potential of the Western Rail Corridor the line must eventually be extended to Collooney. This would ensure that Sligo and Ireland West Airport have rail connectivity with Galway and key population centres across the island. Therefore our budget commitment includes an engineering and track survey of the rail line from Claremorris to Collooney.”
Mr MacManus said the region has suffered from long-term neglect and underinvestment by successive Governments.
"This is reflected by the fact that the EU has ranked our region 218th out of 234 EU regions in terms of infrastructural development. If we are to address regional imbalance and bring economic prosperity to our region we desperately need investment in critical infrastructure projects, and the Western Rail Corridor is a prime example of a shovel-ready project which would do just that.
“The Western Rail Corridor is vital to the future of our region. The people of the West and North-West deserve better and Sinn Féin in Government will deliver to ensure that our region can prosper," he concluded.