Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 14 Oct 2003

Vol. 572 No. 3

Written Answers. - Rail Network.

Pat Breen

Question:

97 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Transport if he has appointed consultants to carry out the new study on the potential of the western rail link; the timeframe for such a study; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23152/03]

Michael Ring

Question:

156 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Transport the plans he has to progress the western rail corridor in view of the strategic rail review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23070/03]

Minister for Transport (Mr. Brennan)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 97 and 156 together.

The strategic rail review provides the Government with a policy framework for the future development of rail passenger and rail freight sectors in Ireland. The report's findings will have a positive role in helping to alleviate growing congestion, reverse ever-increasing car dependency, maintain economic competitiveness and prioritise balanced regional development.

The western rail corridor was one of a number of schemes that was evaluated in the review. While it was noted in the report that this particular scheme complements the objectives of the national spatial strategy, it did not perform well in the cost benefit analysis in the review and therefore was not included by the consultants in the recommended investment strategy.

The review found that consideration of new railway proposals, such as the western rail corridor, would need to be supported by appropriate and complementary land, settlement and economic strategies, which would provide the economic, social and commercial rationale for the project.

Recognising that the western rail corridor fits in well with the aims of the national spatial strategy, I provided the relevant regional authorities in the west with consultancy advice to ensure that they are fully aware of the necessary prerequisites that would need to be put in place before a rail feasibility study could be commissioned on the western rail corridor.

In September, officials from my Department organised a seminar in Athlone together with the review's consultants to outline to the regional authorities in the Border, west, mid west and south west areas the context in which the western rail corridor was considered within the overall strategic rail review. The seminar also dealt with the land use and settlement issues that would be critical to such a proposal.

The seminar was very timely, as the regional authorities are currently in the process of drawing up regional planning guidelines for their regions and so the seminar was an opportunity where it was possible for the western rail proposal to be discussed by the regional authorities within the context of the regional planning guidelines. The seminar has been followed by direct one-to-one discussions between the consultants and each of the regional authorities. A similar seminar is also planned with the Western Development Commission.

While it is entirely a matter for the regional authorities to consider the potential for rail developments such as the western rail corridor, in their upcoming planning guidelines, I have to stress that such proposals must be supported by land use and settlement strategies that would underpin and support the rail proposals if they are to have any chance of success.