A newly published Government report has recommended reopening the rail link between Athlone and Mullingar. The recommendation was included in the All Island Strategic Railway Review and would form a major new connection into the border region. The report sets out 32 strategic recommendations to enhance and expand the rail system in Ireland and Northern Ireland up to 2050. The vision involves the construction of new rail lines, particularly in the North Midlands and North West, with an aim to widen accessibility and connectivity.
Among the recommendations is the re-instatement of the railway between Athlone and Portadown, including Mullingar, Cavan, Clones and Monaghan. The implementation of this recommendation would also see the connection of two major cross country routes locally. The Sligo-Connolly service covering Carrick on Shannon, Dromod, Longford and Mullingar would now link to the Galway-Heuston route that serves Ballinasloe, Roscommon and Athlone.
The report states that this would greatly increase inter-regional accessibility across the northern half of the island. Other recommendations include the reinstatement of the Portadown and Letterkenny line, taking in Dungannon, Omagh, Strabane, Derry, and Letterkenny. The implementation of 200kph trains and at least one train every two hours in rural and regional areas at regular intervals.
