This article is from page 4 of the 2009-05-05 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 4 JPG
IT now looks likely that the Gort Rail Station will be up and running in time for the official opening of the Western Rail Corridor this August.
Fears had been growing locally that the redeveloped station, which had been delayed as a result of a number of planning objections, would not be finished in time for the official launch of the link.
Work on the Gort Station just got underway last month but Iarnrod Eireann has confirmed that they be- lieve it will now be available to cus-
tomers at the same time as the reo- pening of the corridor.
“Work at the station only com- menced recently, following a plan- ning issue, but staff on the ground have pulled out all the stops and will have the work completed in line with the reopening,’ said a spokesperson.
“The works include two new 90- metre platforms, a pedestrian bridge including lifts, an 80-bay car park, platform shelter, bike shelter and as- sociated infrastructure including ac- cess roads and all required services.
‘Pedestrian access to the station will be facilitated by improving the
existing pedestrian footpath from the town.”
Meanwhile, West on ‘Tract has the commitment from Minister for Transport, Noel Dempsey that phase two of the Western Rail Corridor will be rolled out following the re- investigation of the Galway to Ennis service later this summer.
Minister Dempsey confirmed that funding had been set aside in the cur- rent year to enable Iarnrod Eireann to conduct the necessary line surveys to Tuam and Claremorris in order to ascertain up-to-date costings for these sections.
However, according to Minister Dempsey, the success or otherwise of the Galway to Ennis phase of the project will have a major bearing on how quickly the rest of the corridor will be completed.
Reacting to Minister Dempsey’s comments, a West on Track spokes- man said that it was a clear and une- quivocal indication that the Govern- ment is intent on pressing ahead with the Western Rail Corridor.
Phase one of the Western Corridor will be officially opened later this summer, with August now the most TiO hvaestenneee