Jim Higgins MEP slams moves to shunt Western Rail Corridor development

Ireland North West MEP Jim Higgins this afternoon slammed plans by the Government to put on the breaks to the Western Rail Corridors construction for Tuam to Claremorris.

Speaking form his Constituency office in Cloonturk, Co Mayo Mr Higgins said "It is unacceptable and incomprehensible that this project is not being given full priority by the Government"

The people of the west are now faced with a situation which will see the metro built in Dublin at a cost of around 300 million euro per km, while the Western Rail Corridor could be built at a cost of just 3 million euro per km, as no land needs to be purchased, no planning permission is needed, and no tunnelling is required.

The major cost of the WRC is labour, not the purchasing of land. "At a time when the west is crying out for jobs, not to go ahead with the construction of the WRC is ludicrous." said the North West MEP.

"We have the Greens talking about sustainable transport, but I wonder does this only apply if you live in an urban area on the east coast? What about those without cars in th West?" pondered the MEP.

If the Government are serious about balanced regional development and investment in the West's future, they should think again before cutting the funding to such a vital project." concluded Jim Higgins