NDP should target Killucan station reopening – Leonard

A Westmeath transport project should be used as a prototype for rural development under the proposed transport spend in the The National Development Plan (NDP).

The Killucan Kinnegad Transport Lobby Group believe spending €2 billion on Dublin’s metro link is an insult to rural development.

The group say the reopening of Killucan railway station would provide “a prototype” for revamping other defunct stations to aid the regeneration of rural areas.

“Why should rural Ireland always play second fiddle to Dublin City when we can connect vast swathes of the country?” Cllr Denis Leonard of the group said. “Killucan station and the Mullingar to Athlone line represent a small part of this new budget, but would be a massive shot in the arm to public safety and the transport infrastructure in Ireland.”

The NDP has earmarked €24 billion for transport infrastructure for projects up to 2030.

Cllr Leonard says the Killucan project should benefit from a portion of this funding: “The Department of Transport are now looking for shovel ready projects.

“I have asked our local TDs to bring the Minister for Transport, Darragh O’Brien, and junior minister for public transport Sean Canney to Killucan station to see first hand a shovel ready, urgently required transport project for this region that would cost just over €10 million, up to half of which would be reimbursed from Europe,” he said.

The Labour party councillor said there would be an instant benefit from the investment: “It would give 16,000 people within 10km of the station a one hour commute to Dublin rather than a two-hour bus journey on a scant service.

“We have 2% of the country’s population in Westmeath, so it is only fair and right we get some investment. Surely rural transport deserves some consideration; it’s the least we deserve from this new transport package,” Cllr Leonard concluded.