RAILWAY campaigners in Donegal are calling on the public to enter submissions on ‘All Ireland Strategic Rail Review’ to ensure the county’s rail network remains a priority.
Despite much speculation over the past few months, the ‘All Ireland Strategic Rail Review’ officially included a recommendation to extend the railway into Tyrone, from Portadown to Dungannon, Omagh, Strabane to Derry and onto Donegal to Letterkenny.
When the project is carried out, trains will return to Donegal for the first time since the 1960s.
The draft report by ARUP consultants on the rail review published on July 12 has been followed by an invitation to the public to submit comments and recommendations before the end of September.
To the credit of rail campaigners in the North West, the ARUP draft acknowledges that the highest volume of submissions from all 32 counties to the draft was from the North West area.
While, Donegal has been included in the rail expansion, campaigners have called on more people to speak up and enter submissions on the rail.
In a statement issued by Rev. David Crooks, Chairman of the West Ulster Rail Initiative (WURI) campaigners said Donegal has been heard but further work is required to get the project over the line.
“Among the welcome recommendations in the draft is the restoration of the rail link from Derry to Portadown which links in with trunk rail services to Mullingar, Dublin and Belfast.
“Perhaps the most significant recommendation from Donegal’s point of view, is the restoration of rail services between Letterkenny and Derry.
“Having achieved, by Donegal standards, serious recognition of the endemic neglect of the county’s land transport infrastructure, WURI urge all rail campaigners in the North West to again make their voices heard and again ensure that theirs is the highest volume of submissions.
“The minimum submission can be a simple letter.
“Alternatively, individuals or groups make their own submissions.
“But, however you chose to do so – make Donegal’s voice heard.”
The timeline of the project has also been questioned.
The Review’s implementation timelines involve three periods: short-term interventions to be delivered by 2030, medium-term interventions to be delivered between 2030 and 2040, and long-term interventions to be delivered between 2040 and 2050.
Given the scale of the project to reintroduce the trains in Donegal, it is expected that this route would be considered as a long term intervention.
Rev Crooks said the current timeline is not acceptable.
“Apparently if the project goes ahead, work will not commence until 2030 and be completed by 2050.
“This is not acceptable if Donegal is to enjoy a Derry to Cork rail along the western rail corridor.
“This would be a huge success given the performance of the Galway to Limerick line now being extended to Foynes and further work to start soon at the Cork end,” said Rev Crooks.
Receive quality journalism wherever you are, on any device. Keep up to date from the comfort of your own home with a digital subscription.
Any time | Any place | Anywhere
SUBSCRIBE TO CURRENT EDITION TODAY
and get access to our archive editions dating back to 2007(CLICK ON THE TITLE BELOW TO SUBSCRIBE)