News that additional rail services are to be provided on the Waterford/Dublin route have been described as a cynical tactic by Iarnród Éireann designed to distract from its planned closure of the Waterford/Rosslare line.
As from Tuesday next, June 8th, the 5.35pm Heuston to Carlow service is to be extended to Plunkett Station. Meanwhile, trains will depart Heuston to Waterford (Monday to Saturday) at both 1.20 and 4.50pm.
Supporters of the Waterford/Rosslare line’s retention have described the announcement as “cynicism hitting a new low” and have predicted that new services to Wexford from Dublin will follow suit.
Meanwhile, a new website illustrating the South Wexford-led campaign to save the line has also been launched at www.savetherail.org.
It has already attracted comment from Britain, with Campile native Rose Parle expressing her support for the campaign for a service she described as “a lifeline” during the 1980s.
She wrote: “It is a shame that when the rest of Europe is trying to encourage train travel rather than plane that Ireland takes a step backwards.
“When people I have met over the years wish to explore Europe, I always beg them to go to Ireland, but am embarrassed at the lack of transportation on offer – if this worsens, I am not sure how Ireland will compete in the tourist market.”
The issue, which has featured regularly in the letters pages of our national press, was further highlighted by a Mr Jarlath Molloy, who wrote to The Irish Times from London this week.
He writes: “The Bray to Harcourt Street line opened in 1854 and closed in 1958. In 2010 trains of a different sort will run on much of its former track-bed as far as Cherrywood, while the final phase of the Luas Green line will run to Bray, thus restoring the inland rail route.
See The Munster Express newspaper for full story.
