Irish Rail rules out reopening of Crusheen train station

IRISH RAIL has ruled out the reopening of the Crusheen railway station, within the planned Western Rail Corridor, as the population of the area does not support such a move.

Currently, work on the €106 million restoration of the Ennis-Athenry rail-line is progressing and the line is expected to be open next year.

Transport minister Martin Cullen has confirmed that Irish Rail’s business case projects that the rail-line will have an annual deficit of €2.4 million.

Adding a further station to the line at Crusheen would have added to the capital and operational costs of the scheme.

In a letter to junior minister Tony Killeen, Irish Rail has stated that the projected future population growth and development of Crusheen could not support the reopening of the station.

The Minister for Labour Affairs described the news as “disappointing” but expressed optimism that a stronger argument could convince Iarnród Eireann to reopen the rail stop.

In correspondence on the matter, Irish Rail stated: “Crusheen was identified as a large village with capacity for expansion within the county settlement strategy in the North Clare Local Area Plan 2005.

“The plan states that population statistics indicate a potential growth of 50 units over a five-year period. This limited expansion could not justify a station.”

Mr Killeen, however, has learned that Irish Rail has suggested that it would be happy to work with the developers on a potential station scheme if Clare County Council puts forward new information on future population growth.

As a result and following on from a request by local Fianna Fáil Councillor Michael Kelly, Mr Killeen has arranged a meeting between the Mr for Transport and representatives of Clare County Council and Crusheen Community Council.

The meeting with Minister Martin Cullen is scheduled to take place over the coming days.

Mr Killeen said: “There remains a strong argument for the reopening of the rail stop at Crusheen, which I hope can be impressed upon Iarnród Éireann and the Minister for Transport in the coming weeks and months.

“Next week’s meeting will provide the local authority and the people of Crusheen with an opportunity to explain to Minister Cullen why exactly a rail stop is essential to the future growth and needs of Crusheen and its catchment area,” stated Minister Killeen.

In November 2006, Mr Killeen proposed that a rail stop be provided in Crusheen on the Ennis to Athenry section of the Western Rail Corridor project. Mr Killeen presented the proposal to Iarnród Éireann after receiving strong representations from community groups and constituents in Crusheen and elsewhere in the North Clare area.

His proposal has since received the backing of lobby group West On Track, along with the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Éamon Ó Cuív.

Mr Killeen indicated that a number of factors justified the reopening of the rail stop. He said: “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 other areas of east Clare.”

“The costs associated with establishing and maintaining the proposed railway stop would not be excessive. The provision of a ticket vending machine, for example, would lessen the need for the stop to be manned on a full-time basis,” the minister said.

Mr Killeen said that the lack of direct access from the Ennis Bypass to Ennis Railway Station also supported the argument for the opening of Crusheen Railway Station, which is located close Ennis Bypass.

“Iarnród Éireann and Minister Pat the Cope Gallagher had been unaware there was no direct access provided to Ennis Railway Station from the Bypass. I have informed them of the benefits of establishing a rail stop at Crusheen, as it is conveniently located near the Bypass and would provide the people of north Clare with direct access to Ennis Railway Station and beyond. This factor, previously unknown to both parties, could play a significant In early 2006, the Government approved funding for the reopening of the Ennis to Athenry section of the Western Rail Corridor. When track renewal works on the Ennis to Athenry section are completed in 2008, seven trains per day will travel from Ennis to Athenry with stops at Gort, Ardrahan and Craughwell.