All-island Strategic Rail Review launched
The Irish Government and the Stormont Executive have agreed to undertake an all-island Strategic Rail Review to consider unlocking the potential of the rail network across the island.
An agreement was reached at the North South Ministerial Council meeting in October 2020 that the Department of Transport and the Department for Infrastructure would work to “further develop draft terms of reference for a proposed study of rail speeds, to ensure the finalised terms of reference take sufficient cognisance of the need for balanced regional development, particularly in relation to connectivity with the North-West”.
In April 2021, the procurement process was launched by Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan TD and Stormont Minister for Infrastructure Nichola Mallon MLA when a request for tender seeking expressions of interest in conducting the all-island Strategic Rail Review was published in the Official Journal for European Union. The Strategic Rail Review is reflection of the Irish Government’s New Decade, New Approach commitments.
The overarching objective of the Strategic Rail Review is to explore the contribution of rail in facilitating policy objectives, north and south, particularly those relating to climate change. This means examining how the rail network on the island of Ireland can be improved to provide sustainable connectivity between major cities and advance regional accessibility and development, as well as investigating the potential to increase rail freight. This means scoping enhanced high- or higher-speed rail services along existing or new potential corridors of the network, including design and operational proposals.
With an estimated value of €1,000,000 and a 12-month duration of contract, it is anticipated that the Review will commence by early summer 2021. The external consultants undertaking the review will be overseen by the two departments, alongside the National Transport Authority, the Commission for Rail Regulation, Iarnród Éireann and Translink.
Emphasising his firm belief in “the potential of rail in supporting social and economic development and the environmental sustainability of our transport system”, Minister Ryan asserted: “I’m particularly pleased that we’ll undertake this review on an all-island basis, working with our colleagues in the Northern Ireland Executive. The review will look at how rail can help better connect cities and regions across the island and will complement the investment we already plan in our commuter rail networks.”
Meanwhile, Minister Mallon remarked: “Travel by rail is an issue I am very passionate about and I believe it has massive untapped potential to deliver multiple benefits across our island. Since coming into office, I have been clear that it is my priority to address regional imbalance, tackle the climate crisis and better connect communities across Ireland.
“The All-island Strategic Rail Review will allow us to consider our network across this island to view how we can improve it for everyone. Building on our commitments in New Decade, New Approach to progress a spine of connectivity, this ambitious review, in partnership, will look at opportunities to enhance rail across our island.”
