Let’s roll out the gateway express

WHEN one looks at the likely shape of the national spatial strategy it becomes clear that a high-speed dual line rail track between Cork and Derry is a necessity that would serve not only the cities of Limerick and Galway, but also the proposed cities of Athlone, Sligo and Letterkenny.

It would also serve six of the smaller growth centres along the west coast.

If Athlone were to be used as a central hub for this service, then not only the west coast but the entire midlands would be opened up for development. The advantages of this rail link are self-evident less traffic of all kinds on the roads, especially freight, less than one hour travelling time between the major cities along the route, as well as more tourism, and all this at the cost of two maybe three bypasses.