FORMER MAYOR of Wexford, Joe Ryan has welcomed news that the South Wexford train line is to have several trains run over it in the near future.

The South Wexford railway between Rosslare and Waterford saw its last passenger service in 2010 despite a campaign to keep the line open. The track was something that Mr. Ryan was very vocal about all during his time as a Borough councillor.
Mr. Ryan spoke out following confirmation from Irish Rail that a maintenance trail will use the line this coming Wednesday and Thursday, ahead of a tour train’s expected use of it in June and later in the summer.

The former councillor also believes that there is a small market for heritage travel but the future of the line remains attached to the future of Rosslare Europort:

“The fact that there is still a demand for the line is positive given that local management has shown little interest in utilising it. The development of container traffic from Rosslare is essential to the retention of the line.”

He expressed his fear that the line would be left dilapidated and would eventually be unmaintained and become a disused eyesore, saying it would be a shameful waste.

Mr. Ryan pointed out that an EU directive requires that by 2030, 30% of all freight that has to travel over 300km must travel by rail. He said: “As the M50 once more grinds to a halt with traffic, there exists the potential to develop Rosslare as a distribution hub using the rail links as an alternative route to Dublin Port.

“It is time for CIE, the owners of Rosslare Europort, to use the infrastructure that they have in Wexford and start to develop this asset.”