WHEELS are beginning to be put in motion for the reopening of Crusheen Railway Station with an estimated market of 1,700 commuters and students in the catchment.
A new socio-economic study conducted by Repucon Consuting for Clare County Council has detailed huge demand for the reopening of the Crusheen Railway Station on the Western Rail Corridor which is the Galway-Ennis-Limerick rail line. The study was completed following a motion by Cllr Pat Hayes (FF) before the Killaloe Municipal District.
At the unveiling of the socio-economic appraisal of the benefits of reopening Crusheen railway station and rail stop in Crusheen Community Hall on Wednesday night, attendees heard that there is an estimated market of 1,700 commuters and students currently living in the catchment of the station and an estimated economic value to the local economy of €25million arising from associated employment opportunities.
Elected members of the Killaloe MD met with CEO of Irish Rail, Jim Meade on Friday of last week whereby they discussed the findings of the report.
Clare County Council has in recent weeks purchased land adjoining the rail line and old station as part of their proposal to create a favourable business case.
Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, Cllr Alan O’Callaghan (FF) stated, “The Western Rail Corridor provides an important regional and intercity rail link connecting Co Clare to Limerick and Dublin and to Athenry and Galway. The success of opening services from Limerick to Galway via Ennis can be seen from the number of students, commuters and rail users using our stations in Ennis and Sixmilebridge daily. The re-opening of the Crusheen railway station is a strategic objective of the Elected Members of the Municipal District of Killaloe”.
Speaking at the launch, senior planner with Clare County Council, Brian McCarthy outlined, “Census 2022 demonstrated that Crusheen and the catchment area of the railway station from Tulla to Ruan has seen a significant increase in population in recent years and the Council believes it is now critically important from a sustainability point of view that the rail service be reinstated to serve the area. The socio-economic study was commissioned by Clare County Council earlier in the year to provide an evidence-based approach to advocating for reopening the Crusheen rail stop”.
Mark O’Connell, Director of Repucon and author of the report, said, “As a catalyst for rural sustainability, the social and economic benefits of re-opening the rail station will be a significant catalyst for community and rural regeneration. Applying all measures of potential community, economic and environmental impact, the re-instatement of a passenger rail service in Crusheen would represent a significant return on investment for the community. From a regenerative perspective, it will deliver significant social and environmental dividends and add considerably to the social fabric of the area. The scale of participation in this research process by the local community demonstrates the level of demand that exists for the service. From a value for money perspective, the projected 15-year return on investment of €5.50 for each €1 of capital investment made demonstrates a significant impact on the community and the wider Clare economy”.
