Calls for major investment in Ballybrophy railroad and local transport hub
Ryan O’Meara wants to see investment in the Ballybrophy line and Nenagh Transport Hub
Fianna Fáil TD for North Tipperary and Northwest Kilkenny, Ryan O’Meara, has called for significant government investment in the Ballybrophy rail line and the development of a transport hub in Nenagh during Topical Issues in Dáil Éireann.
Deputy O’Meara highlighted ongoing issues facing commuters across, Nenagh, Cloughjordan, Roscrea and Birdhill, including unreliable services, long journey times, outdated infrastructure and poor commuter accessibility.
Speaking in the Dáil, Deputy O’Meara said: “If I wanted to depart Nenagh for Dublin tomorrow, the earliest I could arrive in Dublin by using rail locally is 9.53am, which isn’t much use if you are commuting for work.
“The route is already there. We don’t need a new rail line, we need faster travel times, more frequent services, more reliability of services and better infrastructure at our stations.
Deputy O’Meara also criticised the signalling infrastructure currently operating on the line.
“The signalling system is not out of the last century but actually the century before that. A hundred years ago, when Countess Markievicz, Éamon de Valera and Seán Lemass were planning the foundation of Fianna Fáil, the signalling system on the Ballybrophy line was not new technology then, and yet we are still using that technology today.
“The answer to the issues facing the Ballybrophy line is investment, serious investment, but it is long-term investment with a long-term vision for North Tipperary and commuter accessibility.
The Fianna Fáil TD also outlined proposals for a transport hub at Nenagh railway station, which he said would significantly improve connectivity in the town and wider region.
“Nenagh could have a transport hub at Nenagh railway station if we could get the investment. A transport hub would allow bus stops to move from the centre of the town to the railway station and create a real integrated public transport hub for Nenagh.
“Back in January, Councillor JP O’Meara and I met with the National Transport Authority to discuss the proposal. Tipperary County Council have the plans, and in all honestly, we deserve that investment for a key transport hub.
He concluded by stating: “Irish Rail has said it plans to invest billions into rail infrastructure over the next 25 years. North Tipperary deserves its fair share of that investment in our regional rail line.”