The final report of the All-Island Strategic Rail Review was published today. The report sets out a vision for Ireland’s rail network including upgrading and electrifying existing railway lines and reopening old railway lines in phases over the next 25 years. It contains several much-needed recommendations to improve the rail network in the Carlow-Kilkenny area.
One of the major recommendations for the region is the addition of a second track between Kildare and Kilkenny. The current single-track rail line restricts the frequency of services in the area. Double-tracking would allow Irish Rail to operate more services and remove the need for trains to wait for each other to pass.
The report also recommends speed upgrades of up to 200km/h on major intercity routes. This means the section between Kildare and Dublin would be upgraded to 200km/h which would have a huge impact on journey times for people in Carlow and Kilkenny.
These recommendations would transform the rail service in our area and around the country. We’re taking public transport seriously and we’ve set out a detailed evidence-based vision for what measures need to be taken to expand the network, reduce journey times and make rail a viable choice for more people.
The report also recommends positive changes in the wider region such as reopening the disused line from Waterford to Wexford and upgrading the line between Waterford and Limerick. These would greatly improve our connectivity with our neighbouring counties and provide a boost for regional development.
Working with our partners in Northern Ireland, we’re aiming to bring about a new age of rail in Ireland. To deliver this, it’s vital that all parties here and in the North remain committed to this plan and work to implement its recommendations to transform the rail network on this island.
You can read the full report here.
Kommentare