Waterford councillor calls for joint Wexford push to reopen Rosslare rail line

A Waterford councillor is calling for a joint Waterford-Wexford approach to the campaign to reopen the Waterford-Rosslare rail line.

Passenger services on the route ended in 2010 but Independent Councillor Declan Barry says there is growing support for restoring the connection.

Waterford councillors are due to meet Iarnród Éireann later this month and Councillor Barry says he intends to invite Wexford representatives to join those discussions.

He believes a combined approach would strengthen the case for reopening the line.

Councillor Barry says the route could provide major benefits for both passenger transport and freight particularly as Rosslare Europort continues to expand.

He argues that restoring rail freight services could help take heavy goods vehicles off roads across the South East.

He also pointed to planned developments at Waterford Airport and the relocation of Waterford train station to the North Quays as reasons to think more strategically about transport links across the region.

Councillor Barry says any future rail plan should look beyond a simple Waterford-Rosslare service and instead consider a wider connection linking Waterford, Wexford and Rosslare into the national rail network.