Mayo councillors will now push for Western Rail Corridor to extend to Sligo
News that the Western Rail Corridor will be included in the National Development Plan (NDP) has been warmly welcomed by Mayo councillors.
The Athenry to Claremorris line has been formally added to the Department of Transport's NDP Sectoral Implementation Plan for 2026-2030.
This project will now see the line extended to Claremorris, and it has been hailed as a game-changer for opening up County Mayo by providing a direct connection to Galway.
Several Mayo councillors have expressed their support for extending the Western Rail Corridor into Knock Airport, describing it as a transformative project for both the county and the west of Ireland.
At the annual budget meeting of Mayo County Council, councillors welcomed the announcement.
Cllr Neil Cruise said, "We had an announcement that it is going ahead," and applauded those who had campaigned for this over the last number of years.
However, he stressed that the campaign must continue.
"It's only going to come as far as Claremorris, we need to get [the line] as far as Charlestown, onto Sligo and especially towards Knock Airport," he said, "We have to redouble our efforts. We have to get that."
His comments echo those of Cllr Gerry Murray, who attended the recent Western Inter-County Rail Committee meeting where Minister Seán Canney confirmed that the corridor was a "project in motion."
A long-time campaigner for the reopening of the rail line, Cllr Murray has vowed to "put the pressure on for this line to go all the way to Sligo."
During the November meeting of the Swinford and Claremorris Municipal District, he confirmed that once the Athenry to Claremorris phase of the Western Rail Corridor starts, the attention will turn to phase three, linking Claremorris to Collooney.
"There will be a review of the National Rail Strategy coming up in the next few years. When that review takes place, [Deputy Canney] will push the Claremorris to Sligo section on the agenda," Cllr Murray said.
Cllr Brendan Mulroy has also previously highlighted the economic importance of delivering the Western Rail Corridor "on par" with the Strategic Development Zone (SDZ) at Knock Airport.
He said that once the rail corridor is linked directly with Knock, "the whole county will then take off."
The Economic Development Strategy for Mayo states that there is a "strong case" for a rail link to Knock Airport as it would "enhance regional connectivity and support the airport's future growth plans."
At the moment, there has been no confirmation that the rail link will be included in upcoming SDZ plans, with the project's key Roadmap expected to be published in August 2026.
Alongside the Western Rail Corridor, the updated NDP Sectoral Implementation Plan includes significant transport investments across Mayo, including:
The N17 Knock to Scramogue - A major project strengthening the Atlantic Economic Corridor, reducing congestion and improving links between the West, Midlands and Dublin.
The R332 Foxhall to Kilmaine Upgrade - Safety and alignment improvements, including dangerous bend removal and improved junctions, supporting school transport and local economic development.
A focus on Active Travel & Greenways - Expansion of walking and cycling paths, including Great Western Greenway enhancements and Safe Routes to School projects.
Cllr Cruise welcomed the news but added that he would "like to see the N58 be put back on the agenda, for the economic prosperity of North Mayo and the county as a whole."
The N58 Foxford Transport Project is currently at Phase One, 'Concept and Feasibility,' and recently invited feedback from residents via an online portal.
A Feasibility Report will outline potential routes and traffic management options, with a second public consultation planned for 2026 to present shortlisted options and identify an Emerging Preferred Option before 2027.
The final stage, Phase Four' Statutory Process,' is expected in 2028-2029 and is subject to Government approval.
Cllr Cruise emphasised the project's importance in connecting all of Mayo's main towns.
"Ballina is out on a limb," he said, "It is not connected to Westport and Castlebar, which are virtually connected now."
This article has been funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.