This article is from page 4 of the 2008-02-19 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 4 JPG
MINISTER of State Tony Killeen has given fresh hope to the possibil- ity of a train station being provided at Crusheen along the route of the Western Rail Corridor.
Stating that the development “should not be discounted”, the Clare TD said Iarnrodd Eireann had not ruled out the proposal and “would consider any evidence to suggest that such a development would be war- ranted”.
In a letter to Minister Killeen, Iarn- rod Eireann chief executive Dick Fearn said that the reopening of the Crusheen station was not included in the reopening of the Ennis to Athen- ry line because of the very limited
development forecast for Crusheen in Clare County Council’s North Clare Local Area Plan 2005.”
Minister Killeen said he reminded the CEO that detailed additional in- formation has been collated by the local community, with assistance from Clare County Council, regard- ing the potential future use of the proposed rail stop. This information along with undertakings relating to the provision of adequate car parking CUTE U em OEIC BROMINE cot have been submitted to Iarnrdéd Eire- EMOvOe
“In light of this new information, I have requested the company to re- view the potential for the establish- ment of a rail stop at Crusheen”, he SrALGe
The minister said he had also re- ceived confirmation from larnrod Eireann that it would be keen to work with developers who would fund a Station scheme, as is the case at a number of locations elsewhere on the national rail network. ;
“Recent reports that Iarnrod Eire- ann has categorically ruled out the future opening of arail stop at Crush- een could not have been further from the truth.
“The company has expressed its willingness to consider any evidence supporting the establishment of a rail stop at Crusheen, as part of sched- uled passenger services between En- OVA BaLG aN H Slo) OD ae
He added that there remained a strong case for the provision of a rail
stop in Crusheen.
‘Two stops are being provided for between Gort and Athenry and none on the very long stretch of railway between Ennis to Gort.
‘“Crusheen is an ideal location for people coming from Ruan, Corofin, Tubber, Boston and elsewhere in North Clare as well as Tulla and oth- er areas of East Clare’, Mr Killeen concluded.
Track renewal works on the first phase of the Western Rail Corridor project started late last year and are expected to take 18 to 24 months to complete.
Once completed, an expected seven trains per day will travel from Ennis to Athenry with stops at Gort, Ardra- han and Craughwell.