Longford ‘needs to be on rail fast track!’

Councillor Peggy Nolan has called for a meeting with Iarnród Éireann in a bid to try and get Longford on the fast track line set to be installed in Mullingar.  

Speaking at a recent meeting of Longford County Council, Cllr Nolan said, “Longford certainly could be, can be, and will be a commuter town if all the plans we want come to fruition.

Read More: Green light for councillor's plan to end negative image of Longford

 “There’s an issue that has to be dealt with in the coming months of the new year however, and that is a meeting with Iarnród Éireann. Iarnród Éireann are putting in a fast track from Connolly (Dublin) to Mullingar on the Connolly-to-Sligo line so they’re really looking out for Mullingar; that it will become an even bigger and more successful destination than it already is. 

“Good luck to them, they have a minister there, it’s a thriving town."

“I'm on the LWETB (Longford Westmeath Educational Training Board) and I see how they gather the troops at meetings. We’re not outflanked because we can hold our own, but we are outnumbered in some of these committees.” 

Cllr Nolan also questioned why Iarnród Éireann were “starting in the middle of the track” by commencing in Mullingar. 

She told the chamber, “Can I just say that to start in the middle of a track, putting in a double railway line from Mullingar to Connolly - well it should start at Sligo and work its way over, but the powers-that-be are starting in Mullingar.

“A fast railway track will make Mullingar an even more attractive town for commuters. We should be in at the beginning of this. It’s for another day but I’m just saying if we're to turn this town around, we need to be in on that fast railway line. 

“Something like this would help people commute up and down from Dublin. What I’m talking about is for another day but I will want this addressed in January.”

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme

Read More: Longford arson attack prompts meeting with Garda Superintendent for safety taskforce