'Huge demand' in Clare community to reopen railway station

A new socio-economic study conducted by consultants Repucon for Clare County Council has revealed huge demand for the reopening of Crusheen Railway Station on the Galway-Ennis-Limerick rail line.

At the launch in Crusheen this Wednesday evening, September 4, of the “Socio-Economic Appraisal of the Benefits of Re-opening Crusheen Railway Station and Rail Stop,” 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.

Brian McCarthy, Senior Planner with Clare County Council told the meeting that 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."

"The Council believes it is now critically important from a sustainability point of view that the rail service be reinstated to serve the area," he said.

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.

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"In addition, in recent weeks, as part of the proposals to create a favourable business case to reopen the station, Clare County Council has purchased land adjoining the rail line and old station," Mr McCarthy stated.

"This investment, when taken together with commissioning the report from Repucon, demonstrates the commitment by the Local Authority and its Elected Members to advocate for the reopening to serve commuters, students and all in Crusheen and north and east Clare.”

“The Western Rail Corridor provides an important regional and intercity rail link connecting County Clare to Limerick and Dublin and to Athenry and Galway," Alan O’Callaghan, Killaloe MD councillor and Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, stated.

"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.

Cllr O'Callaghan also thanked Irish Rail for their "open, positive and supportive discussions on the merits of the reopening the station", following a meeting between the councillors of Killaloe, Mr McCarthy and Jim Meade, CEO of Irish Rail.

Mark O’Connell, Director of Repucon and author of the report, said 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," Mr O'Connell continued.

"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."

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