Eamon Ryan, the Green Party Minister for Transport and Environment, stated that most of the forthcoming transportation budget will need to be allocated towards public and active transportation. This is in order to facilitate decarbonisation and improved housing plans.
The final report of the All-Island Strategic Rail Review has recently been made available. In this report, several steps towards a more efficient rail system have been suggested, including more trains operating at higher speeds, additional services in the northwest, and the electrification of the intercity rail network.
The Green Party states its support for the implementation of all 32 recommended measures in the review. With an impending general election, Ryan challenged the other political parties to share their plans regarding the implementation of the rail plan. The total execution of these recommendations by 2050 is estimated to cost around €37 billion, which will be split between the two island jurisdictions.
On average, this would require an annual expenditure of approximately €1 billion by the Republic over a 26-year period. When asked whether this level of spending was feasible, Ryan asked “Why wouldn’t we do that?” and pointed out that €1.5 billion is invested annually in the motorway network.
Ryan further asserted that rail expenditure will simultaneously function as an investment in the housing sector. If implemented, the plans would result in an additional 700,000 individuals residing within 5km of a railway station. Ryan emphasises that the benefits of this investment far outweigh the costs, and it forms a crucial element of future housing and transportation strategies.
Currently, the government stands by a 2:1 ratio for spending on public and active transportation over roads. When questioned whether this ratio will likely increase, Ryan confirmed that the majority of future transport finance must be directed towards public and active transportation for the sake of decarbonisation, improved housing and planning, and enhanced economic growth.
“The entire globe is shifting towards a public transport-centric future,” declared Mr Ryan. Despite this, he asserted that our road infrastructure still necessitates increased funding for safety measures, maintenance, and fresh projects such as bypasses.
A standout proposition he highlighted was the construction of a new railway line. This would extend from Portadown, pass through Dungannon, Omagh, Strabane and finally reach Letterkenny and Derry – a visionary part of the plan, according to Mr Ryan. Although acknowledging the costly nature of the project, with expenses running into billions, he was adamant about its transformative ability in ensuring better connectivity across the northwest of the country.
Mr Ryan also voiced his advocacy for the Western Rail Corridor’s revitalisation between Claremorris and Athenry. Launching a challenge to opposing political factions, he called upon them to reveal their spending ambitions and identify the projects they would consider non-essential.
Implementation of all the recommendations would incite an average annual expenditure of approximately £310 million (€368 million) for the Northern Ireland Executive. Amidst ongoing reductions in railway investment across England and Wales by the UK government, queries were raised over the potential endangerment of the plan’s northwest route.
In response, Northern Ireland’s Minister for Infrastructure, Sinn Féin MLA John O’Dowd, criticised the UK government’s decision to reduce public transport expenditure, calling it a misstep. He admitted to handling an exceedingly challenging budget but insisted that the crucial aspect lies in the utilization of available resources.
Expressing his intent to use his tenure and limited budget for investing in the economy’s future progression, Mr O’Dowd optimistically mentioned significant upcoming challenges intertwined with vast opportunities hinging on appropriate political decisions.
Insisting on anticipated “strong patronage” on the new northwestern route, Mr Ryan did not dismiss the likelihood of acquiring funding from the Republic. “Our ongoing Shared Island fund investment has significantly funded various transport projects, including the Enterprise [train service between Dublin and Belfast], and we aim to maintain this approach,” he noted.
Regarding the absence of Fermanagh from the plan, Mr O’Dowd attributed it to the figures not aligning at the moment.
Nonetheless, he indicated that the proposals are set to be revisited after a decade. With the progression of technology and an anticipated increase in public transit usage, there might be possibilities to extend railway connections to Fermanagh.