I believe that rail transport will transform Ireland in terms of meeting climate targets and reducing carbon emissions following on from a meeting I had with Jim Meade, CEO of Irish Rail.
Mr. Meade has confirmed the Irish Rail are investing in their rail including the electrification of the rail network.
“I am also please that Irish Rail now recognise that rail freight can be an area for expansion, and they intend to target this business going forward. Presently only 1% of our goods are transported by rail but this can be increased with some innovation and buy in from industry who want to change their way of transporting good they become greener companies”.
“Irish Rail also recognise the need to upgrade all of their existing network including the Wester Rail Corridor to ensure they have the capacity to meet future demand”.
The station at in Oranmore is to be upgraded to deal with the increase in passenger numbers by providing a passing loop which will facilitate additional trains. The double tracking of the Galway to Athenry line and the extension of the rail network to include the connection between Claremorris and Athenry will be pivotal in ensuring that the West and North West can develop and reach its full potential.
“I am also pleased that an engineering solution has now been found to solve the on-going flooding problems on the line at Ballincar in County Clare on the Athenry to Ennis line. The rail line has been flooded for up to six months in some years following heavy rainfall rendering the line unuseable”.
“Irish Rail are also investing in the upgrade of their infrastructure to make rail services accessible for disabled people”.
“I believe that our rail network can be a major platform in realising our targets for Climate Action and Carbon reduction in the transport sector”.