This article is from page 8 of the 2008-08-12 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 8 JPG
THE reinstitution of the Western Rail Corridor has moved a step closer with the granting of planning permission for the redevelopment of Gort train station last week.
The corridor, which is currently on schedule to connect Ennis to Galway by early next year, had faced long de- lays if planning permission had not been granted for the Gort railway station.
The old Gort station, which is a listed building, will now be com- pletely overhauled and transformed into one of the largest stations on the
proposed rail corridor.
Galway County Council last week granted permission for Iarnrod Eire- ann to construct two new 90 metre platforms, an 80-bay car park, a pe- destrian bridge, a platform and bicy- cle shelters.
Earlier this year, the rail com- pany got permission to upgrade Craughwell and Ardrahan railway Stations.
Meanwhile, the campaign to secure a rail stop at Crusheen on the West- ern Rail Corridor continued this week with the instigation of a major postcard writing campaign to politi- EE
Hundreds of postcards featuring an image of the old Crusheen rail station have been sent to politicians over the last week.
“The campaign is continuing and we are making progress but it is slow going. We are in contact with larn- rod Eireann on an ongoing basis and we are very hopeful that this situa- tion will be resolved but it will take a concerted effort from all concerned,” said Mike O’Doherty of Crusheen Development.
“We are still very hopeful that a station can be up and running in Crusheen before the rail corridor 1s introduced. We are not going to put
a time limit on the process but we would like to see it happening sooner rather than later.
“It is definitely still possible for us to get this station up and going. We have already received the support of a number of people including Minis- ter Eamon O Cuiv.”
Mr O’Doherty also confirmed that Crusheen Development were cur- rently waiting for a response on a number of new proposals from Iarn- rod Eireann.
He also confirmed that that organi- sation would stage another public meeting before the end of August to discuss the way forward.