‘Perfect opportunity’ to reopen Waterford to Rosslare railway line amid rising fuel costs

There is a “perfect opportunity” to reopen the Waterford to Rosslare railway line amid the increasing cost of fuel, a council meeting has heard.

Independent councillor Declan Barry spoke on the subject at the March plenary meeting of Waterford City and County Council.

Cllr Barry said: “I’m again going to highlight the issue of the rail line from Ferrybank to Rosslare.

“I would ask our council to engage with Iarnród Éireann to urge them to put this back into play.

“It’s a perfect opportunity now with the Transport Hub coming on stream. We’ll have the trains coming in there as well.”

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He went on to highlight how the railway line could be used to transport goods to Rosslare Harbour.

“The amount of heavy goods vehicles that are on our roads - I’m amazed to see so many. A lot of those could go by rail.

“It would be much greener as well - fuel costs and the whole lot - so I would like us to engage with Iarnród Éireann.”

In response, Director of Services Gabriel Hynes said he “100 per cent agreed” with Cllr Barry.

Mr Hynes continued: “The trips, the longer trips to the city, the frequency of rail services to the city from Dublin, from Limerick Junction and in particular to Rosslare, all need to be laminated with increased frequencies.

“With that in mind, we have a meeting arranged with Iarnroid Eireann in the next couple of weeks to put that case to them.”

Cllr Barry also raised the issue of the car parks planned for the North Quays, amid changes made to the plans for the site in recent weeks.

He stated: “Over there as well, with the increase in housing units that are proposed. Is there enough parking spaces allocated for the North Quays because I’d be worried that this will come up at Kilkenny County Council as well.”

In response, Mr Hynes said that the council believes there will be enough car parking spaces on the North Quays.

“Just in relation to the North Quays and the car parks, I think we’re satisfied that the initial spaces being provided will be adequate to meet the needs.
“Also, bearing in mind that I suppose the future of the metro is probably a shift away from the car to public transport.”

He concluded by saying the council is “hopeful” that there will be sufficient space for cars to park on the North Quays.