Letters

A failure to invest in rail

Lack of joined-up strategic thinking

Sat Aug 13 2022 - 00:10

Sir, – The Dublin-Belfast rail corridor illustrates perfectly both the failure to make serious investment in public transport infrastructure and a depressing lack of joined-up strategic thinking.

A journey time of 95 minutes between Dublin and Belfast was promised by 1996 (Operational Programme for Transport 1994/1999).

The time taken by the fastest train between the two cities was reduced to 105 minutes in 1999 but has since increased to 125 minutes, largely due to congested infrastructure.

If the Dart extension to Drogheda proceeds as proposed (without providing additional tracks), there will be a further increase in journey time by anything up to a further 20 minutes. – Yours, etc,

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ANTHONY GRAY,

Drogheda,

Co Louth.

Sir, – Walter Ellis (Letters, August 10th) draws attention to the many single-line railway tracks in Ireland and the infrequency of services between the two largest cities on the island.

It amazes me that no attempt has been made to convert the double-track system on the northern line to a four-track system, at least as far as Drogheda. This would ensure a more efficient commuter service and free-up track space for trains travelling further north and could enable a more frequent and faster train service to Belfast. – Yours, etc,

LOUIS O’FLAHERTY

Dublin 9.

Sir, – I would just like to remind your readers that we in Donegal, with a population of 166,321 people, lost the railway line 60 years ago.

We have been waiting for years for upgrade work to proceed on the A5 motorway but all remains quiet on that front.

So we have neither the option of a single-train track to Dublin nor some decent roads on the way. We do live in hope though! – Yours, etc,

EILEEN BANNAN,

Letterkenny,

Co Donegal.