SPC 2 - Minutes

Minutes of Strategic Policy Committee 2 – Environment & Infrastructure Meeting held on Thursday, 13th January, 2022 at 11.00 a.m. In the Council Chamber, County Hall, Sligo


ATTENDANCE:                    

  • Councillor Donal Gilroy, Cathaoirleach
  • Councillor Thomas Healy 
  • Councillor Michael Clarke
  • Councillor Thomas Walsh

 

REPRESENTATIVES:           

  • Ms Sharon Eastwood (Community & Voluntary Sectoral Rep) (Virtually)Ms Joan Swift (Environment Pillar Sectoral Rep)Mr Conor McCarthy (Business Sectoral Rep)
  • Michael O’Dowd 

 

APOLOGIES:                                      

Councillor Rosaleen O’Grady

 

OFFICIALS:                           

  • Ms Emer Concannon, A/Director of Services
  • Mr Michael Feeney, Administrative Officer
  • Mr Tom Brennan, Senior Engineer

 

CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES

Minutes of Meeting held on 1st July, 2021 were adopted with amendment requested by Joan Swift, proposed by Councillor M Clarke and seconded by Councillor T Walsh.    

 

MATTERS ARISING

Nothing to note.

 

SUBMISSION ON STRATEGIC RAIL REVIEW

Councillor D Gilroy outlined the reason for the meeting and the requirement to make a submission to the full Council meeting being held on Monday, 17th January.

Councillor T Healy stated it was the first review of the All-Ireland Rail Service since 1906 and requested that the Council write to Local Authorities in Leitrim, Roscommon, Donegal and Longford to support a call for improved Rail Service between Sligo and Dublin.  Also, to contact Galway and Mayo County Councils with regard a joint submission in support of Western Rail Corridor.  The daily service to Longford needs to be improved but bridges at Ballisodare and Collooney need major improvement to be able to cate for freight service which would eventually link sligo to Rosslare Harbour and on to France.  Galway County Council passed a motion in favour of opening the Western Rail Corridor which would link the cities of Galway and Sligo.

Councillor D Gilroy informed Joan Swift that this meeting is part of the consultation process, and our submission will go to the Council meeting but we can make our own submission if necessary. Councillor T Walsh stated that we need more carriages, better internet, and more space for bicycles on the Sligo to Dublin Rail Service.  He also stated that the Sligo to Bellaghy Greenway was separate issue to the Western Rail Corridor and this S.P.C. and the Council could support both projects.

Michael O’Dowd added his support for improved Rail Services especially for South Sligo as it could be 5 years before the N17 Road Improvement starts.

Conor McCarthy stated that the Sligo Chamber of Commerce will be making their own submission and that we need to improve Transportation along the Atlantic Corridor and connect cities like Sligo, Derry and Galway.

Sharon Eastwood stated that the Rail Service needed to be improved but it was costly to use on a regular basis and fares need to be looked at.  Joan Swift noted that there was no mention of the Bus Service, and we cannot separate Greenways from railways as both have benefits. Sharon Eastwood agreed that we needed more integration between the rail and bus services.

Councillor T Healy stated we had to fight to save our rail service in 2001 and that all Infrastructural proposals need to be discussed at this S.P.C.

Michael O’Dowd said that the costs of improving the Rail Services should not be the mian priority as we need links from Sligo/Northwest to the southern ports and onward links to mainland Europe.

Goals and Objectives –

The six goals listed on the Consultation paper were considered and were ranked as follows in order of importance –

Enhance Regional and Rural accessibility

Foster economic activity

Encourage sustainable mobility

Improve All Island connectivity between major cities

Achieve economic and financial feasibility

Contribute to decarbonisation

Vision for the future of the Rail Service –

Following a discussion, it was agreed that the following was required for the future –

High speed rail service to Longford with more carriages and high-speed broadband

An electric service required

Improved commuter service along Sligo to Dublin rail line

Provision of freight service from Sligo to ports

Rail connectivity from Sligo along the Western seaboard and Atlantic Economic corridor

Rail connectivity to all strategic airports and ports

Key gaps in existing Rail Service –

Lack of rail connectivity along Western seaboard and Atlantic economic corridor linking Sligo to the Northwest region of Letterkenny and Derry.

Lack of rail connectivity from Sligo to Knock Airport, a designated Trans-European Transport Network (TETN) and to Shannon Airport and Foynes port.

Rail service not affordable and Sligo not mentioned as a major growth centre in consultation paper.

Consideration needs to be given to the following –

Cost of service

Frequency of service

More carriages with facilities for bicycles

Safety of users.

Emer Concannon stated what is required is an upgraded rail service and noted the following –

Regional connectivity along Western Seaboard and the Atlantic corridor required.

High speed Rail Service to Dublin needed with more carriages and connection to the major airports and ports.

Sligo is not one of the 7 major cities but is a regional growth centre for the Northwest.

Councillor M Clarke stated that our rail submission must not undermine the need for a Greenway and the desire of others for an improved Western Rail Service.

Emer Concannon informed Joan Swift that the Council will make the submission, but this S.P. C. can also make its own submission.  It was agreed that Emer Concannon would draft a submission for the S.P.C and it would be sent to the Chairman and the members for consideration.

 

REPORT ON NON-PUBLIC ROADS

Councillor D Gilroy stated that a submission was made but a meeting did not take place due to time constraints and that only a limited number of roads can be taken in charge due to the cost involved in upgrading them and bearing in mind that the consent of all property holders along the roads will be required.

 

AOB

Councillor T Walsh informed Sharon Eastwood that the proposed meeting with the N.T.A. regarding Bus Services has been delayed until later in 2022.

Conor McCarthy and Councillor T Healy updated the members on the progress on the provision of a Greenway between Sligo and Enniskillen.  It was agreed that a regular summary should be given to all members on the progress to date of this project.

Emer Concannon informed Councillor Healy that the date for making submissions on the proposed N17 roadway has passed.  Consideration will be given to the provision of a cycle track at the design state.

Joan Swift stated that reports on Greenways and Active Travel Schemes should be given at all S.P.C meetings.  Emer Concanon stated that updates of all schemes are usually given in advance of meetings as items on the Agenda should be mainly about policy.

 

Proposed dates for the remaining S.P.C meetings were agreed as follows –

Thursday, 3rd March at 11 am

Thursday, 12th May at 11 am

Wednesday, 14th Sept at 11 am

Wednesday, 16th November at 11 am


Meeting Date 13/01/2022