This article is from page 9 of the 2013-06-25 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 9 JPG
IT COULD be full steam ahead for the old West Clare Railway line as the Government provide € 50,000 for a West Clare Railway Greenway project.
Not only have new plans been lodged with Clare County Council to extend the popular west Clare Railway in Moyasta but according to Labour TD Michael McNamara Minister for Public Transport, is to provide the € 50,000 seed funding to kick-start the Green Way Project.
He said the Westport to Achill Greenway in Mayo has been an outstanding success and contributes over € 1 million to the local economy each year.
“The history, folklore and song associated with the West Clare Railway greatly enhances the attractiveness of a walking/cycling Greenway along the historic route.
“The grant of € 50,000 will be used by Clare County Council for design and planning purposes.
“I am totally committed to the project and will do all that I can to secure the major capital funding which the project will require,” said Deputy McNamara.
The proposed West Clare Railway Greenway when completed will link Ennis with Lahinch. Its total length will be 40km but will be delivered as a four phase project. The final phase of 3.5km linking Ennistymon with Lahinch has already been completed.
The remaining four phases are: Ennis to Ballymaquiggan (3.9km), Ballymaquiggan to Corofin (15km) and Corofin to Ennistymon (18km).
Meanwhile plans have been filed with Clare County Council to extend the West Clare Railway.
The plan includes 1,853 square National Railway Heritage Museum that will include a café and toilets, at the station that inspired the Percy French song “ Are You Right There Michael? ”
The application also includes a rail way and pedestrian crossing on the N67 Kilrush to Kilkee road, as well as pathway footbridge and associated site works.
Clare County Council granted planning permission to a similar project in 2009 but the National Roads Authority successfully appealed the decision to An Bord Pleanala.
The new development included rail and pedestrian crossings along the N67, whose sped limit has since been reduced from 100 kilometres per hour to 60 kilometres per hour.