Greens claim cement trains to be stopped

THERE was mounting speculation last night that Iarnród Éireann will axe its cement transport operation into Cork within months.

The Green Party said it has information that the company plans to stop daily transport of up to 1,200 tonnes of cement to Horgan’s Quay by mid-spring. The company takes two trainloads of cement daily from Limerick and Drogheda.

Green TD Dan Boyle said he feared any such decision would force an extra 80 cement tankers per day onto Cork and Limerick roads.

But the company denied the speculation last night.

Spokesman Barry Kenny said the company has no plans to cut the cement transport operation.

But Mr Boyle said he stood over his information.

“This is very negative news for Ireland’s rail infrastructure,” he said.

“This decision is adding to the ridiculous trend of returning freight transportation onto our roads.”

He called on the company to reverse its decision. But Mr Kenny said there was no decision to reverse.

Mr Boyle called on Iarnród Éireann to clarify how it intends to continue operations given its cement silos are located on a site earmarked for development.

The silos are on a site on Horgan’s Quay, earmarked by Iarnród Éireann and Manor Park Homes for a multi-million retail and housing development.

City officials met with the developers in recent days to discuss the proposal but there are still no signs of a planning application.