Article on Double tracking Galway-Athenry

[Tadhg17]

Great idea and should have been done before Ennis-Athenry but have they pulled that figure of €180million out of the sky

http://www.galwayindependent.com/loc...rail-proposal/

Scepticism grows over Athenry rail proposal
Written by Marie Madden
Wednesday, 13 February 2008

Concerns were raised this week about the high cost of a €180 million proposal submitted to the Gateway Innovation Fund (GIF) by Galway City Council.

At Monday night's city council meeting, officials gave a presentation showcasing the three proposals put forward for funding through the Gateway Innovation Fund, including a new conference centre for the Fisheries Field, the development of a bus carriageway and civic space for Ardaun and double rail tracking from Galway to Athenry.

While the presentation was met with a warm reaction from councillors, questions were immediately raised about the hefty cost associated with the Athenry project – estimated at €180 by Iarnrod Eireann.

A majority of councillors expressed disbelief at the figure, saying that it seemed extortionate for a 22km stretch of rail and calling for an independent costing. Many went on to express a lack of confidence in the Athenry proposal, saying that they were not optimistic of its chance of being approved.

"The cost of the Western Rail Corridor line from Ennis to Athenry, (36miles) was estimated by Iarnrod Eireann at €106million. The cost of providing a second track from Athenry to Galway City (12miles) has been costed at €180million. This makes no sense at all, with the required land already in state ownership in both cases it beggars belief that a twelve mile section of track is considerably more expensive than a thirty six mile section of track," said Green Party councillor Niall O Brolchain.

"International rail experts I have talked to do not believe this figure is remotely credible. I am calling for an independent evaluation of this costing. We need a proper public transport system in the Galway region and this form of play acting by Iarnrod Eireann is most disappointing."

Nine gateway areas have put forward proposals for allocations of funding from the €350 million total. Of the three proposals put forward by Galway City Council, it is thought that the €77.6 Fisheries Field development is the most likely to be successful.

The new "iconic" conference centre/concert hall would address the lack of large cultural venues in the city, one of the main reasons that Galway missed out on being named European City of Culture in 2005.

As a result, councillors Padraig Conneely and Daniel Callanan urged the council to lobby for the centre and meet with relevant government ministers in order to "put our best foot forward" and increase Galway's chances of success.

The new centre would seat 2,500 people and would "embody world class architectural excellence complementing its highly prized waterside location, adjacent to Galway Cathedral and overlooking the River Corrib". The site is owned by NUI, Galway and is worth €20 million. This represents 26 per cent of the total capital cost therefore meeting the Gateway Innovation Fund criteria for matching funding.

Another article linked to this:
http://www.galwayindependent.com/loc...d-until-april/

A decision on whether Galway will receive an allocation from the Government's Gateway Innovation Fund has been postponed until April.

Anticipation had been building over the last number of weeks in relation to the funding bid, which if successful would allow for huge development in the city and county. However, it has now been revealed that Galway City Council will have to wait for at least another month before they know whether they will be receiving a slice of the €350 million fund.

The new town of Ardaun was also put forward for funding, alongside double rail tracking from Galway to Athenry. However, concerns have been raised over the hefty €180 million price tag estimated for the rail project by Iarnrod Eireann.

[Mark Gleeson]

180 million is crazy money, but you don't know what that is actually for, frequently the numbers quoted are for something quite different to what is expected

180 million is the price for the 21st century, full specification deal with everything included. Basic cheap deal is 40 million, there are 4 stations involved here in fact.

There is a lot more going on here than a second track, its been in the members area for ages http://www.railusers.ie/members/down...ile=galway.pdf

What is proposed though not public would result in Galway having a rail transport service equivalent to what Cork is getting, a very respectable service which is something to be welcomed

[dowlingm]

I note RUI estimated DT+Oranmore at 50m Euro in Nov 2007. (In Frank Dawson's WRC PowerPoint dream world it seems more like 21m (12 Galway-Oranmore, 9 Oranmore-Athenry)

No doubt IE are doing their usual - adding in stuff like closing LCs, building new overbridges and tinkering with the gradients as on the Midleton line rather than simply costing the relocation of the existing track from the centre of the alignment, the installation of the second and the revised signalling to include provision at Athenry for Tuam. Not to say that that wouldn't be a good idea, just that it could have been broken out better.

That said, there's a big difference between the Ennis-Athenry project, done on an unused track with no bustitution or other disruption costs, and tearing up a live railway. You can't simply use the same cost/km figures, as the local politicos have done, for an intercity railway as opposed to the 35mph average speed cattletrack from Athenry to Ennis.

[Mark]

Originally Posted by dowlingm

I note RUI estimated DT+Oranmore at 50m Euro in Nov 2007. (In Frank Dawson's WRC PowerPoint dream world it seems more like 21m (12 Galway-Oranmore, 9 Oranmore-Athenry)

.

Jeaus someone give that man a Powerpoint lesson.

[Mark Gleeson]

Probably the worst set of slides I have ever seen, the motivation is pretty poor as well

[Colm Moore]

Originally Posted by dowlingm

as opposed to the 35mph average speed cattletrack from Athenry to Ennis.

I suspect that the councillors don't know this is what they are getting.

[dowlingm]

I think it's more of a wilful blindness Victor.

[Colm Moore]

Perhaps a bit of both. Which is more damning?

[Thomas J Stamp]

Originally Posted by Mark Gleeson

Probably the worst set of slides I have ever seen

And boy, have you seen some slides.....!!!

I remember the ones we saw in January 2006, they were hard core. Do I remember? Will I ever forget!!!

Sorry if I'm not treating this seriously.......... but who can?