Western Railway Corridor - Progress of Works

Progress of Works

Following preliminary works in late 2005 and early 2006, official clearance work on the northern section of the line (Claremorris to Collooney) began on 18 September 2006. The purpose of the works was to re-establish the boundaries, prevent further deterioration of the line section and prevent any development that may otherwise impinge on the proposed detailed works required for the reopening of the line. Specifically, the works included fencing, hedge cutting, renewal of level crossing gates as well as the provision of some essential drainage, removal of ivy and overgrowth from bridges and the provision of mile posts.

On 26 September 2006, Minister for Transport Martin Cullen announced Government approval of funding for the reopening of the Ennis–Athenry section of the WRC, as well as the Athenry–Tuam section. Iarnród Éireann soon proceeded with detailed planning and design of the project, including consultation with land owners and local authorities, as well as design of bridges and level crossings.

Renewal of track commenced in 2007 on the line between Ennis and Athenry and was completed in 2009. After a gap of more than thirty years, train services between the cities of Galway and Limerick commenced on Tuesday the 30 March 2010, on budget at a cost of €106.5m. The service provides five trains per day between Galway and Limerick. It serves existing stations at Limerick, Ennis, Athenry and Galway, as well as new stations at Sixmilebridge, Gort, Ardrahan and Craughwell. The Limerick to Galway service also feeds into expanded intercity services between Limerick and Dublin and between Galway and Dublin. Irish Rail planned for both routes to gain hourly services at peak and two hourly off-peak, however recession has resulted in delay, with some services withdrawn.

The investment project to be delivered by Iarnród Éireann involves a renewal of 58 km (36 mi) of track, including all necessary fencing and drainage and the installation of points and crossings at Gort and Ennis. A single 90 metre platform with furniture, shelter, signage, car park, PA, customer information systems, help point and CCTV provision will be provided at Gort, Ardrahan and Craughwell. These stations will also be accessible to the mobility impaired.

Customer Information Systems, PA, help-point and CCTV will be provided at Athenry and Ennis stations. Repair and improvement work will be undertaken on bridges on the route to allow rail services to operate. There will also be modernised signalling systems and improvement to level crossings.

The middle section of the western rail corridor, Athenry – Claremorris, has been programmed but not funded under Transport 21 while the Colooney – Claremorris northern section has not been programmed or funded bar some line clearance work in 2006.

In November 2009 Iarnród Éireann announced that the opening of the first phase of the Western Rail Corridor had been delayed as a result of severe flooding in the Kiltartan area. IR announced:

"Major infrastructure work on the Ennis to Athenry line has now been completed, and driver training and familiarisation began on the route last Monday 16 November. As a result, Iarnród Éireann had planned to commence services on 9 January 2010 following the completion of driver training. However, severe flooding in the wider area has since blocked the line.This, along with other flooding in recent days near Ennis and in Galway, has prevented such training from taking place since last Wednesday 18 November, and faced with the potential of an ongoing period of flooding, the opening date has been deferred. A revised date will be confirmed as soon as possible." http://www.irishrail.ie/projects/western_rail_corridor.asp

In January 2010, floodwaters having subsided, it was reported that services would commence in March 2010.

Iarnród Éireann announced on 9 February 2010 that rail services between Limerick and Galway are set to commence in March.

"The €106.5 million new route will be officially launched on 29 March 2010, following the completion of the rebuilding of the Ennis to Athenry line, and the receding of recent flooding between Limerick and Ennis, and full schedules will operate from 30 March."

In February 2010 Iarnród Éireann published an official timetable:

http://www.irishrail.ie/your_journey/printed_timetable_pdfs/2010/Limerick%20Galway%2010.pdf

The service has five trains daily (four on Sundays) in each direction between Galway and Limerick. The best journey time between Galway and Limerick will be just under two hours.

On 27 May, the West on Track campaign announced that it is expecting the Government to announce whether it will be reopening Tuam-Athenry line. The decision is to be made in September 2010.