Calls for the Government to Restore Plans for Re-opening the Waterford to Wexford Rail Line

Rail campaigners in the South East are urging the Government to reinstate plans to reopen the Waterford to Wexford rail line after its sudden removal from the 2025 All Ireland Strategic Rail Review. Despite being included in last year’s review, the line—which has been closed to services since 2010 but is still being maintained by Irish Rail—was conspicuously absent from this year’s report leaving rail users in the region in a state of uncertainty. Peter Branigan, spokesperson for the rail advocacy group South East on Track, expressed frustration at the lack of clarity surrounding the decision, noting that the line’s re-opening was seen as crucial for improving transport infrastructure in the South East. Branigan emphasized that the move is not only detrimental to the local community but also erodes broader regional efforts to improve sustainable transport options across the country. The absence of the Waterford to Wexford line in the new review has left many questioning the Government’s commitment to enhancing regional rail services, a vital component of the country’s transport future. For more information on the campaign to reopen the Waterford to Wexford rail line visit https://southeastontrack.com/