Rail transport advocacy group South East on Track have welcomed the decision by Wexford County Council to suspend plans to develop a Greenway along the Waterford Rosslare Greenway. 

Suspending the plan to develop the greenway allows the line to be included in the All Ireland Strategic Rail Review to be undertaken by the Department of Transport.

The line connects Rosslare and Wexford town directly to a regional rail spine stretching between Waterford, Limerick, Galway and as far as Mayo.

In addition, potential for freight has increased given the dramatic recent increase in shipping at Rosslare Europort.

“We are delighted that the route will be included in the review by the Department of Transport, we want it to be given every chance to be developed, we have set out a business case which can see passenger and freight flows return with the potential to economically develop the area served by the line. We visualise passenger services linking Wexford with Waterford and beyond.”

A spokesperson for the group Joe Ryan said:

“We also support calls by the Chairperson of Wexford County Council for the prioritisation of a Greenway by the council linking Wexford and Rosslare where a clear agreed route exists. We support his calls on the Minister for Transport for funding for this greenway route.”

SEOT also say:

“In addition, we urge the council to now consider an alternative route for a greenway linking Waterford and Co Wexford. Our business plan identifies a route detailed in notes below which merits consideration. This route would give greater continuity to cyclists and pedestrians with better potential for access both regionally and nationally.”

The group concluded:

“South East on Track supports the development of greenways and tourism, however not at the expense of valuable infrastructure allowing access to Rosslare and Wexford. We encourage the general public to go online to southeastontrack.com to read our business case and to support our campaign for better passenger and freight rail services.”

It is thought that one of alternative options for a Greenway in Co.Wexford is to develop the route from Enniscorthy Promenade to Macmine, and then from Macmine, along the route of the old railway line to Rosbercon, to link in with the New Ross to Waterford Greenway currently under development.