Study underway on location of new train station in Limerick

IARNRÓD Éireann has appointed AtkinsRéalis to develop location options and designs for a possible new train station at Ballysimon.

They have also been tasked with proposing infrastructure improvements to increase capacity on the Limerick to Ennis rail line.

The projects are part of the Irish Government’s strategy to increase the market share of public transport, helping to deliver on its Climate Action Plan.

An Iarnród Eireann spokesperson said the Limerick Shannon Metropolitan Area Transports Strategy (LSMATS) identified Ballysimon as a potential location for "a new park and ride train station as part of plans to develop a commuter rail service in the Limerick area, to increase public transport usage and serve a population that relies heavily on private car travel".

AtkinsRéalis will also identify and recommend infrastructure solutions to increase the capacity and resilience of the Limerick-Ennis rail line and onwards to Galway.

"The line is constrained by a single-track railway, with potential enhancements intended to reduce journey times and increase capacity for both passenger and freight journeys.

"The Ennis line enhancements are part of the LSMATS. The line enhancements will also help to facilitate plans to increase train services between Galway and Limerick, as outlined in the draft All-Island Strategic Rail Review.

"Preferred options on both studies are expected to be emerge towards the end of 2024. A decision on the progress of these projects will be made by the National Transport Authority and will be subject to funding allocation," said the spokesperson.

Tree blocks road near gates to Limerick school

The study will also encompass new train station locations at Cabra and Kylemore in Dublin.

Minster for Transport, Éamon Ryan said he was delighted that studies are underway into increasing capacity on the Limerick-Ennis rail line and developing new train stations in Ballysimon, Cabra and Kylemore.

"These locations were identified in the Limerick-Shannon Metropolitan Area and Greater Dublin Area Transport Strategies as enablers for transport-orientated development. These studies indicate this Government’s commitment to providing  new, quality public transport options, including rail, across Ireland. I look forward to their completion," said Mr Ryan.

Chief executive of National Transport Authority, Anne Graham said with more and more people now using public transport to get to work, college or lifestyle appointments it is vital that they plan options for new rail stations and additional capacity on their network as outlined in "our transport strategies so as to ensure our customers have a frequent and reliable service which they can use in their daily lives"

Chief executive of Iarnród Éireann, Jim Meade said: “At Iarnród Éireann we are delighted that studies are underway on these key infrastructure developments. We believe strongly that providing frequent and reliable rail services to more and more communities will greatly assist in reducing reliance on private cars and will go a long way to meeting Ireland’s climate action targets.  This will help establish rail as the backbone of Ireland’s sustainable transport network.”