Press release From: The Western Rail Trail campaign February 16th 2018 for immediate release: 617 words (main body text) • National Development Plan: No plans to rebuild Western Rail Corridor but there will be another report about closed railway • For what reason say greenway campaigners? • More can kicking about a project that won’t happen • Sean Canney to blame say greenway campaigners • Lost opportunity for tourism as Greenway funds will go elsewhere whilst Galway Mayo and Sligo lose out. A spokesman for the Western Rail Trail Campaign – a collection of community-based campaign groups in Galway Mayo and Sligo campaigning to preserve the alignment of the closed rail line from Athenry to Collooney by utilising the route for tourism and leisure as a greenway until such time as a railway may be possible, has welcomed the fact that a decision has finally been made about the so called Western Rail Corridor. Confirmation came today in the National Development plan that there are no plans to extend the Western Rail Corridor north of Athenry in the Capital Plan. There will however be an independent review of the Western Rail Corridor completed immediately which will enable a final decision on the rail corridor. Brendan Quinn of the Greenway campaign said “Sean Canney the Independent Alliance TD for Galway East insisted a report into the Western Rail Corridor should be part of the programme for Government and it seems this will now happen. His two fellow TDs in Galway East, Ciaran Cannon and Anne Rabbitte have both supported a greenway on the closed railway” Quinn continued, “At least the National Development plan says the report into the closed railway will now take place immediately so let’s see what it has to say and we can all move on” Quinn added, “we are somewhat surprised that Leo Varadkar and Paschal Donohoe who both said the Western Rail Corridor would not be extended when they were Ministers of Transport have not simply said enough is enough we don’t need any more reports, the railway is not going to be built so let’s use the route for something useful” In the Dail this week Mr Varadkar said this about the Western Rail Corridor “The commitment on the western rail corridor in the programme for Government is not to build or complete it but to carry out such an appraisal of a benefit to cost ratio. The last time it was done it came out negatively at a cost of 100 against six - 100 being the cost and six the benefit. Most rail projects come out around 100 to 80.” (Leo Varadkar in the Dail on Wednesday February 14th 2018) “It is difficult to see how yet another report will come up with a benefit to cost ratio that is likely to make the Western Rail Corridor extension a runner” said Quinn, “however let’s get the report done and then a decision can finally be made.” Quinn added “ The disappointing thing really is that whilst we wait for this report, the people of Galway Mayo and Sligo will be denied the opportunity to see the greenway happen and will miss out on greenway funding opportunities. The blame for this lost opportunity can be laid at Mr Canneys door ” The National Development plan says “Investment in activity based tourism, including greenways, will be a priority over the period of the National Development Plan.” “Mr Canney will be able to say he has a report into the Western Rail Corridor. Unfortunately his report will not create any jobs and will not provide a leisure facility for his constituents, and the likelihood is the outcome of the report is unlikely to bring him the railway” said Quinn. “It’s a day of mixed feelings” said Quinn. “Many of our supporters for the Western Rail Trail Greenway from Athenry to Sligo are involved in tourism related industries and just wanted to see a decision made, creating a greenway on this closed railway; it would be a quick and easy project to implement and would create immediate jobs. At least when the report into the Western Rail Corridor is completed we will know what is going to happen, although there are no guarantees a decision will finally be made, it is frustrating” ENDS: body text 738 words Contacts: Brendan Quinn 087 4198193