Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 22 June 2023
41. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Transport if he will outline plans for the further development of the rail connection from Limerick to Shannon Airport over the next five years; if his Department intends to increase investment in new stations on the Ennis-Limerick-Foynes rail corridor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30203/23]
View answerThe issue of a rail spur from Limerick to Shannon Airport has been considered in the context of the Limerick-Shannon Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy (LSMATS). That Strategy was developed by the National Transport Authority (NTA) in collaboration with Limerick City and County Council, Clare County Council and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII). The final Strategy was published in December 2022. The Strategy sets out the framework for investment in transport for the Limerick-Shannon Metropolitan Area for the next 20 years, including proposals for rail investment.
In addition to the improved access to Shannon Airport proposed under BusConnects Limerick, LSMATS provides for the route identification and protection of a potential future rail line that would serve Shannon Airport. However, in the immediate term, the Strategy highlights that a bus-based connection between Colbert Station and Shannon Airport would have 84% occupancy compared to 24% for a rail link. To increase the viability of a potential rail link, the Strategy recommends a focused approach to land use to support rail-based transport-oriented development.
Further proposals for investment in rail under LSMATS include:
• A new rail station at Moyross, which I announced last October as a Pathfinder project, to be delivered within the next three years;
• The reopening of the Limerick-Shannon Foynes line for freight services, for which I allocated funds for works to commence late last year;
• A new station at Ballysimon, along with park and ride facilities;
• Increasing the frequency of services on the Ballybrophy line to two trains hourly;
• Increasing the frequency of services on the Ennis line to three trains hourly;
• Dual tracking of the line from Limerick Junction to Colbert Station;
• Upgrading of Colbert Station.
The Deputy may wish to note that the Strategic Rail Review is also considering the future of the rail network with regard to, among other ambitions, improving rail connectivity to our international gateways, including Shannon airport.
Work on the Review is now at an advanced stage and it is expected that a draft will be published for the purposes of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) public consultation in July. Following the SEA process and finalisation of the report, it is expected that it will be submitted for the approval of the Minister for Transport and Government in the autumn, as well as to the Minister for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland. Should there continue to be an absence of Ministers in the NI Executive, approval will be considered taking into account the decision-making framework set out in the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc.) Act 2022 or relevant legislation in place at the time.
It is expected that the final Review will be published in the autumn of 2023.
