Balla Railway Station has been closed to passengers since 1963.
A SUGGESTION by Iarnród Éireann that Mayo County Council would draw up a business plan for the reopening of the train stations in Balla and Ballyvary has left a local councillor ‘bemused’.
Throwing it back on the council was ‘a bit ridiculous’, commented Councillor Cyril Burke, who has proposed that the rail chief executive be invited to meet members of their roads committee.
The councillor has previously called for both stations to be reopened and a letter requesting this was duly dispatched from the local authority.
He has recently received a return letter, which, he confessed, left him ‘a bit bemused’.
It stated that responsibility for the development of transport strategy for these areas lies with Mayo County Council.
If the council wanted to establish the potential for reopening them, it would be for the council to come up with a business case as it is the authority with responsibility for the land use and transport planning in the area.
Iarnród Éireann would support them in preparing that plan, with access to information they have and technical expertise.
Councillor Burke said he felt it was ‘a bit ridiculous’ that Iarnród Éireann were throwing it back on Mayo County Council as to why a business case should be built for the reopening of Balla and Ballyvary stations.
They had been written to umpteen times with an invitation to attend and discuss it with members.
He made the point: “We have a Green minister who is refusing to develop the N17 and all proposals are to encourage people to use rail, and yet Iarnród Éireann rebuke what we have suggested.”
He added: “It is news to me that it is our responsibility.”
Head of roads Paul Dolan said he didn’t think it was their responsibility to determine if a station should be open or not.
He didn’t feel that assessing passenger numbers and predicted use would be part of their remit.
On a more positive note, Councillor Burke expressed delight at seeing Baxter sending freight to Waterford Port via rail from Ballina.
He had raised the need for a freight depot in Castlebar, and the Western Rail Committee have also issued a statement looking for it to open in the future.