The National Spatial Strategy (NSS) has identified as "of particular relevance" public transport corridors in the west linking Derry with Cork via Sligo, Galway and Limerick.
The corridor, which includes road as well as rail routes, incorporates a rail crossover at Athenry, tracks for which were recently lifted by Iarnród Éireann.
Also of "particular relevance" is the Rosslare to Limerick transport corridor where Iarnród Éireann has also indicated it is considering closing its rail line.
The strategy states: "Physical networks of infrastructure such as roads, public transport, energy and communications are of particular relevance to the NSS since they themselves have a spatial impact and influence the location, timing and extent of development".
It argues that "a feature of the most mature and successful economies is that they possess highly developed, well-integrated infrastructure that supports movement, i.e. public and private transport and energy and communications networks". The strategy says the State "must" build on the existing transport network, which is currently radial and emanates from Dublin, to develop "an improved mesh or network of roads and public transport services."
The strategy calls for improved public and private transport along the following routes:
a western corridor from Cork to Derry via Limerick and Galway;
along south and south-eastern "international access" routes to the regional air and sea ports between Waterford, Cork, and Tralee via Killarney.
along north-western international access routes providing road access to and from gateways, hubs and other areas in the vicinity of the Border
along a central spine linking Dundalk, the Athlone/Tullamore/ Mullingar gateway, via Portlaoise to Rosslare, in effect providing a midlands by-pass around the greater Dublin area and facilitating more direct access to the ports of Drogheda, Bellview in Waterford and Rosslare.
The strategy comes out firmly in favour of implementing the roads programme as envisaged by the current National Development Plan which it sees as "a key element in enhancing regional accessibility and thereby underpinning better regional development". It says good airports and sea ports are needed.
