[Press Release] Railway For Navan Real Action Needed Not More Talk

[Mark Gleeson]

Date : 6th February 2006.
Issued By : Platform 11 Press Office
Contact : Derek Wheeler. Public Relations Officer. Tel: 086 3452651

Platform 11, the national rail users organisation, calls on the Minister for Transport, Mr. Martin Cullen, and CIE Chairman, John Lynch to stop trying to fool the people of Navan at tonight's public meeting in the town.

The inclusion of a railway service for Navan in Transport 21 may seem like a great event for Meath, until the opening date is revealed - 2015. No amount of public meetings by the Minister, will change the fact that Navan was nothing more than an afterthought in the compiling of the states most comprehensive and biggest transport package. The urgent need for a rail service to Navan has been known for some time. The DTO's "Platform for Change" document suggested an opening date of 2010 and this was as far back as the year 2000. Consistent dithering by the Government is failing the commuters of Navan.

Furthermore the proposed railway from Clonsilla to Pace/M3 interchange, offers nothing to Navan commuters. Irish Rail's own feasibility report for this line actually notes the problem M3 tolls could cause and fears that commuters will continue driving after paying a toll, rather than use the Pace/M3 interchange park and ride facility.

Despite a report by Platform 11 regarding the existing Navan - Drogheda line and it's potential to be used in the short term for Dublin bound trains, both Irish Rail and the Government continue to ignore it. The Strategic Rail Review 2003 rated this project very highly.

Put very simply, if the Government are serious about delivering a rail service for Navan, they should spend more time examining all the options and fast tracking the project rather than trying to "con" the people of Navan with promises that will take a decade to implement.

ENDS

http://www.platform11.org/media/pres...&no=pr_03.html
http://www.platform11.org/media/prin...&no=pr_03.html