Cavan TD wants Kingscourt-Navan rail line re-opened

Deputy Niamh Smyth has called on the Department of Transport and Irish Rail to conduct a feasibility study into reopening a rail line from Kingscourt to Navan as part of efforts to reopen the Navan to Dublin service. 
 
“I am calling on the Department of Transport and Irish Rail to conduct a feasibility study into reopening this section of rail line, which would enable rail transport from Dublin to Cavan," she states.
 
“There is and will be much discussion about what we as a society need to do to tackle climate change.  Investment in public transport and taking individual cars off the road will need to be part of this.  Extending Dublin rail services to Kingscourt would not only provide a new and reduced carbon commuting option for the hundreds of people who now travel from Cavan and Monaghan to the capital every day, it would also offer businesses and companies alternative transport options. 
 
“I have met with Irish Rail senior officials on a number of occasions and it is my strong sense that there is an open mindedness towards this idea. There is an unused line linking Navan to Kingscourt, owned by Irish Rail, already in place. Yet it is not being maintained or used. In the new context of the climate emergency that has been declared by Dáil Éireann, I believe that Transport for Ireland are obliged to look again at the possibility of putting this back in use.  Investment now has the potential to save massive costs in the future. 
 
“I am concerned that Fine Gael have already decided to abandon any idea of rail services for the people of Cavan and Monaghan and will cover for this with talk of a greenway amenity on segments of the line, eliminating any potential for its return as a functioning train line. I am hugely supportive of greenways and public amenities, but I believe that we need to fully investigate whether there is scope for bringing this public transport facility back into use before closing the door forever.
 
“Sustainable public transport options for the border region can play an important part in developing our economy and meeting our climate action goals and I look forward to working with the Department to find a way to conduct this new feasibility study,” concluded Deputy Smyth, who represents Cavan-Monaghan.