Madam, - Many disused railway lines in Britain are used as cycling and walking trails. I recently interviewed the manager of the bicycle hire centres on one of the best known - the Tissington Trail in the Peak District in Derbyshire. In 2005 they had 36,000 bicycle hirings. One third of those hiring a bike stayed at least one night in the area - a lot of heads on beds. A further 70,000 visitors bought their own bikes and about 125,000 walkers used the trail. Many of these walkers stayed a night, or spent money locally on a day trip.
Consider these figures in the context of walking tourism in Ireland. There could be a huge market for a network of Tissington-type trails on redundant railway lines.
Minister for Transport Martin Cullen announced recently a plan to open the Western Rail Corridor (WRC) in three phases, due to be completed by 2014, providing a line from from Ballina to Limerick. The West on Track group claims there is a need to re-open the Claremorris-Collooney line to complete the WRC to Sligo. Under Transport 21 this section of line is to be protected and fenced in.
Claremorris-Collooney would be the most expensive part of the WRC to reinstate; 2005 estimates put it at €200 million - what price by 2014? It is difficult to justify this on either economic or demographic grounds.
How many extra tourists, would the Claremorris-Collooney railway bring to the West? In contrast, how many tourists would a well marketed walking and cycling trail on this route bring in? Imagine taking the train to Collooney, cycling or walking to Claremorris and returning to Dublin by train. Or flying to Knock, hiring a bike at Charlestown and spending time on the trail; or taking children for a bike ride without the fear of a 4x4 coming round the corner. As inclines are limited on a railway line, the trail would also be ideal for wheelchair users.
The Claremorris/Collooney alignment, thankfully still in public ownership, will not be restored before 2014, if ever. It could become a walking/cycling trail quickly, easily and at relatively little cost. The economic gain to the North-West could be huge, not to mention the health benefit. - Yours, etc,
BRENDAN QUINN, Enniscrone, Co Sligo.