This article is from page 9 of the 2006-09-19 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 9 JPG
AS WORK begins on the Western Rail Corridor today, the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, has reiterated his commitment to having the Ennis to Athenry section of the track up and running by 2008.
Responding to a question put to him by The Clare People , Mr Ahern cited the completion of the Ennis by-pass and the “reopening of the Ennis to Athenry rail line in 2008” as two of the main investments in infrastructure in the county.
Iarnród Éireann began clearing work on the unused railway line between Claremorris and Collooney this morning. This €5 million project, using funding received under the CLÁR programme, represents the first physical work made in the reopening of the corridor.
“The people of rural Ireland have a right to expect top-class, 21st-century infrastructure,” said Éamon Ó Cuív, Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.
The announcement by the Government of the phased re-opening of the Western Rail Corridor is the largest ever re-opening of a rail line in this island.
The purpose of the works, begun today, is 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.