Smyth seeks new feasibility study into extending rail services to Cavan

A local TD has repeated her calls for a feasibility study into reopening a rail line from Kingscourt to Navan in light of the climate emergency, declared by Dáil Éireann. 

Deputy Niamh Smyth, has called on the Department of Transport and Irish Rail to conduct the study as part of efforts to reopen the Navan to Dublin service. Ultimately if these two lines were opened, it would provide a rail link from East Cavan to the capital for the first time since the 1950s.

“There is and will be much discussion about what we as a society need to do to tackle climate change. Investment in public transport and taking individual cars off the road will need to be part of this. Extending Dublin rail services to Kingscourt would not only provide a new and reduced carbon commuting option for the hundreds of people who now travel from Cavan and Monaghan to the capital every day, it would also offer businesses and companies alternative transport options.

 

Open minded

“I have met with Irish Rail senior officials on a number of occasions and it is my strong sense that there is an open mindedness towards this idea. There is an unused line linking Navan to Kingscourt, owned by Irish Rail, already in place. Yet it is not being maintained or used.

“In the new context of the climate emergency that has been declared by Dáil Éireann, I believe that Transport for Ireland are obliged to look again at the possibility of putting this back in use. Investment now has the potential to save massive costs in the future.

 

Greenway

Deputy Smyth insists that now is the time to initiate the move, not just because of climate concerns, but if a proposed greenway from Kingscourt to Navan is progressed, there may be no scope to ever reopen the rail line.  

“I am concerned that Fine Gael have already decided to abandon any idea of rail services for the people of Cavan and Monaghan and will cover for this with talk of a greenway amenity on segments of the line, eliminating any potential for its return as a functioning train line. I am hugely supportive of greenways and public amenities, but I believe that we need to fully investigate whether there is scope for bringing this public transport facility back into use before closing the door forever.

“Sustainable public transport options for the border region can play an important part in developing our economy and meeting our climate action goals and I look forward to working with the Department to find a way to conduct this new feasibility study,” concluded Deputy Smyth.