Limerick-Foynes Rail Freight Line Reopening ‘Makes Sense’, Says Minister

2nd October 2020

Jehan Ashmore

Port of Foynes: re-opening the 40km Limerick-Foynes line, closed in 2002, would cost €45 million. Above AFLOAT adds the bulker Foxtrot berthed at the port and the derelict railway station located in north Co. Limerick Credit: Jehan Ashmore

The Limerick-Foynes rail line is the focus of a plan to revive the link which will boost efforts to develop the Shannon Estuary as a centre for shipping and energy.

Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan, told the Dáil recently that re-opening the Foynes freight line “made sense” because Europe’s plans to tackle climate change included a shift to rail.

Pat Keating, chief executive of Shannon Foynes Port, welcomed the news, calling the minister’s pledge to seek cash for the project from the EU’s Climate Action Recovery Fund a major statement of intent.

“The project would also be a huge catalyst for wider plans to capitalise on the potential of the estuary, not just from a freight import and export distribution hub but also a facilitator of our plans to realise the unrivalled off-shore floating wind potential off the west coast,” Mr Keating explained.

More on this infrastructural development reports The Irish Times here.

Published in Shannon Estuary

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About The Author

Jehan Ashmore

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Jehan Ashmore is a marine correspondent, researcher and photographer, specialising in Irish ports, shipping and the ferry sector serving the UK and directly to mainland Europe. Jehan also occasionally writes a column, 'Maritime' Dalkey for the (Dalkey Community Council Newsletter) in addition to contributing to UK marine periodicals.

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Shannon Foynes Port Information

Shannon Foynes Port (SFPC) are investing in an unprecedented expansion at its general cargo terminal, Foynes, adding over two-thirds the size of its existing area. In the latest phase of a €64 million investment programme, SFPC is investing over €20 million in enabling works alone to convert 83 acres on the east side of the existing port into a landbank for marine-related industry, port-centric logistics and associated infrastructure. The project, which will be developed on a phased basis over the next five years, will require the biggest infrastructure works programme ever undertaken at the port, with the entire 83 acre landbank having to be raised by 4.4 metres. The programme will also require the provision of new internal roads and multiple bridge access as well as roundabout access.