Rail line reopened - Back to the future

EVEN during the most challenging times there are good news stories to cheer us and yesterday’s reopening of the rail link between Limerick and Galway, for the first time in 34 years, is one.

In a time when we have to reduce carbon emissions — as well as our reliance on imported energy — the reopening of this line, on a premier tourist route, must be celebrated.

Indeed it seems that regional and urban commuter lines will play a primary role in the public transport of tomorrow and we should be working to establish new lines as well as reopening those fallen into disrepair.

Would it be too much to hope that as suburban areas are developed, whenever that might be, that corridors are set aside to facilitate the rail lines of tomorrow?