Madam, - With reference to your recent excellent series on commuting I wish to point out an error in your article regarding Westmeath. It was incorrect to show the rail line linking Athlone to Mullingar on the map shown alongside your article. Yes, this rail line exists; however, it is no longer in use for rail passenger traffic.
If the line were restored, it would offer a more direct route to Dublin central stations for commuters from Westmeath, who currently have to suffer a rail commuting nightmare into Heuston Station and a bus journey into the city every day.
It would be eminently sensible to open an Athlone-Moate-Mullingar rail commuter route to Dublin which would hopefully alleviate some of the congestion on the N4/N6 western route to the city.
The recent strategic rail review has identified this as a potential route to be reopened. However, when I suggested the idea to Iarnród Éireann earlier this year they told me there was no justifiable reason to consider this route for passenger traffic. I hope the strategic rail review will alter their thinking. - Yours, etc.,
BRENDAN QUINN,
Carrowhubbock South,
Enniscrone,
Co Sligo.