Consortium puts rail link project back on track

PLANS to develop a rail link between Shannon, Ennis and Limerick is back on track after a consortium yesterday said it was willing to back the project.

Beaux Walk Properties, the company behind the €135m redevelopment of Shannon town, said a study has found the rail service is viable.

Managing Director Barry Boland said the rail link could be built for under €100 million.

“There are an estimated 300,000 trips weekly between the three points and if the rail service can secure 15% of that volume, it can be viable.

“We are offering to put together a consortium of appropriate business interests and skills to develop this vital rail link and given the right conditions the project can be made viable.”

Mr Boland said the initial work carried out by the company warrants a thorough investigation of the project and said his company is prepared to offer seed capital for the plan.

“Small-scale rail-links operate all over Europe and I can’t see why that should not be the case in Clare.”

Mr Boland was speaking at a tree planting ceremony carried out by Tánaiste Mary Harney marking the official start of the redevelopment of Shannon Town Centre.

He said the rail project will require a combination of grant aid and capital allowances from government.

“It is clear from the recent Strategic Rail Review, that the link will not be provided unless business people in the mid-west make it happen. We are prepared to work in partnership with government to provide a service that will give Shannon Town and Airport the rail link it so badly needs for future growth.”

The Tanaiste was heckled at the ceremony by anti-war demonstrators. She defended the Government’s decision to allow US military planes to land at Shannon on their way to the Gulf.

Meanwhile, Ms Harney said healthy competition between Ireland’s main international airports at Dublin, Shannon and Cork would prove remarkably successful.

“I have always been a supporter of Shannon and Cork Airports having autonomy over its own affairs. Everything does not have to be run from Dublin in order to succeed,” she said.

The Tanaiste was addressing the Shannon and District Chamber of Commerce luncheon.