COST has been cited as the main reason Fermanagh has been excluded from the ambitious and historic plan to bring the railways back to the west.
Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd was in Enniskillen this afternoon to discuss the fact no Enniskillen line was included in the now-official All-Island Strategic Rail Review, having travelled to the county town following the official launch of the document in Dundalk earlier today. He told the local media a link to Fermanagh would not make economic sense, but said the plan would be revisited in the next ten years.
“I want to send out a clear message that this is a chapter in the book, it is not the end of the story,” said Minister O’Dowd, adding he had asked his officials to revisit the fact Enniskillen had not been included following the publication of the draft review.
“Unfortunately at this stage the sums simply don’t add up,” he continued. “To build 40km of of rail link between Omagh and Enniskillen would cost over £400 million in today’s money and the forecasts are there would not be returns on that. However, the review also makes an important recommendation that there will be a further review in 10 years time.”
During the public consultation on the draft review, published last year, there was a large response from those outraged at the fact Fermanagh had not been included. Especially since, once the all-island rail plan is finally realised, it will mean Fermanagh will be the only county of the 32 without a rail connection.
There has been renewed upset today since it was confirmed the decision to leave Fermanagh out of the review had not been reversed.
“Despite outcry at the exclusion of Fermanagh from the initial recommendations of the All Island Strategic Rail Review the area has once again been ignored in the final recommendations published today,” said local Cllr Adam Gannon. “This review was brought forward by the SDLP in government and we have been clear that our intention was to see every part of this island served with modern rail links.
“People in this area often feel like they are ignored when it comes to the delivery of public services and this decision is just another blow that will leave people frustrated about the way we are treated when it comes to vital infrastructure projects. Given that this is a border area it would seem common sense that we are included in a plan aiming to revitalise rail links across the entire island.
“Public transport options in this area are unfit for purpose and this was a missed opportunity to begin to address that. If we want to connect our towns and cities, create economic opportunities and fight the climate crisis then we need fit for purpose transport links in every area, these problems matter no less in Fermanagh than any other part of this island.
“These recommendations are not the end of this matter and the SDLP will continue to advocate for Fermanagh to be included in rail and infrastructure investment and would urge others to do the same so that this area is not once again left behind and ignored.”
For more on this story see next week’s Fermanagh Herald!
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