Clara station neglect hurts midlands rail users says Independent TD

Independent TD for Offaly, Carol Nolan, has urged the Government to seriously consider investing in the long-overdue expansion of services at Clara Train Station, highlighting its potential as a key transport hub for the Midlands.

Speaking during a Dáil debate on public transport, Deputy Nolan made a strong case for improved rail infrastructure:

"The motion we debated today made several welcome references to the All-Island Strategic Rail Review and the manner in which the Review outlines economic and social benefits. That is why I think it is important to raise ongoing issues with Clara Train Station," said Deputy Nolan.

Drawing on historical context and community insight, Deputy Nolan said the station had untapped potential.

"As one of my constituents has noted through his extensive research on this issue, Clara was once the location of two railway stations and two railway junctions, one branching off the mainline to Mullingar, and the other branching off the main line to Banagher. It has been built beside what is called a passing loop. This means that both trains serving the station at the same time can allow passengers to embark/disembark. Unfortunately, and bizarrely, in Clara, this does not happen."

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Currently, the infrastructure limits what should be a basic service for rail users:

"It is currently the case that only the train using the main track can allow passengers to board or alight. The train using the passing loop stops, but because it does not have a platform passengers cannot enter or exit. This makes no sense."

"It also means that many people from the Clara railway station catchment area (which includes Clara, Moate, Rahan, Ballycumber, Kilbeggan, Tubber and Ferbane) who would like to use a specific service, cannot do so."

Deputy Nolan stressed the importance of addressing this issue without delay:

"Today I called on Government to provide the capital cost of constructing the second platform."

Linking the station’s future to national transport ambitions, she added:

"The motion we debated also calls on Government to outline in the Revised National Development Plan those recommendations of the All-Island Strategic Rail Review that the Government plans to deliver by 2030."It is vital that Government pledges to ensure that Clara Train Station is included in the projects that will be delivered by that date," concluded Deputy Nolan.