A €10 MILLION flood relief system must be in place before the spring of next year, if the revised deadline for the reopening of the first phase of the Western Rail Corridor is to be met.
Iarnród Éireann confirmed yesterday that services on the Limerick to Ennis railway line would would not return until after Easter at the earliest, following their suspension in January due to severe flooding. Some 18 sq km of the Ballycar area of Co Clare have remained flooded for the last six weeks with consequent difficulties for farmers and householders as well as Iarnród Éireann.
Irish Rail said it had invested heavily in the route in recent years, increasing frequency from two trains per direction each day to eight trains per direction.
On two occasions it has raised the railway line in the Ballycar area, but the line remained under at least a foot of water yesterday.
Further investment is proposed under the Government's transport strategy, Transport 21, with regular passenger services between Limerick and Galway via Ennis.
Iarnród Éireann spokesman Barry Kenny said yesterday that the flooding affected more than just the railway line and drew attention to the OPW proposed drainage scheme which would provide a permanent solution.
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