Back on track? Reopening of Athlone to Mullingar rail line proposed

The reopening of the rail line between Mullingar and Athlone is among the recommendations contained in the All-Island Strategic Rail Review published recently.

The reopening of the line is being pitched to cost between €300m and €400m (at 2021 prices)

The final review was published last week, alongside associated environmental assessments, after draft plans were issued for public consultation last year.

The reinstatement of a single track rail link between Athlone and Mullingar is one of a number of recommendations that impact on the Athlone region.

The reinstated link is envisaged as a longer term proposal in the report, with a delivery date between 2040 and 2050.

Also proposed is the double tracking of the line from Dublin to Athlone and Mullingar and the electrification of intercity and commuter services between Portarlington and Galway (through Athlone).

The review also recommends one train per hour on intercity routes, including between Dublin and Galway (via Athlone) and one train per two hours on regional routes including Dublin to Westport (via Athlone).

There is also a proposal for a new single track line between Portadown and Mullingar via Armagh, Monaghan, Clones and Cavan, which, in conjunction with the reinstated Mullingar to Athlone link, would link Athlone to Portadown.

The electrification and double tracking of the line from Portarlington to Galway through Athlone is estimated to cost some €800m to €1.3bn, whilst the Portadown to Mullingar link is given a price tag of €1.1bn to €1.6bn.

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Peter Burke has revealed that action is already beginning to bring the proposals to fruition.

“Work is under way between the government and the European Investment Bank as to how we can move forward, as the total cost of carrying out all elements may well exceed €30 billion,” he said.

Minister Burke said reinstating the Mullingar to Athlone line also made a lot of sense: “It is a development I would like to see sooner rather than later,” he said, pointing out that it would increase connectivity to the west of Ireland from the midlands.

“If we want to see more public transport being taken up, we need to provide value for money and see it being made available to the wider community, not just those who live in large towns.

“This plan when implemented will be transformative, but we also need to think of the steps we can take now and continued investment into current routes must keep pace.”