Campaign to reopen disused Kilkenny railway line on track

Calls are growing to reopen a railway line in county Kilkenny that has been closed over a decade.

The Waterford Council of Trade Unions (WCTU) have called for the reopening of the Waterford to Rosslare (Wexford) rail line, to coincide with the European Union’s year of Rail.

The line runs for about 10km in county Kilkenny from Waterford train station in Ferrybank through Belview Port all the way to the Barrow Bridge before crossing into Wexford.

The WCTU have begun the campaign as the believe the reopening of the line would have major environmental and economic benefits for the region.

A WCTU spokesperson said: “Last September marked the 10th anniversary for the closure of this service. The criteria used to determine the need for rail networks in the South East was short-sighted and based on a business case rather than on a public service one, let alone concerns regarding the environment.

“The need for rail connectivity across the South East has never been greater. With fines coming from Europe due to our inability to reduce our carbon emissions, investment in rail transport in line with our neighbouring countries is an obvious route for climate action.

“The massive increase in post-Brexit ferry transport to both Rosslare and Belview open up new possibilities for rail-freight, the environmentally friendly option for transportation of goods throughout the country.

“The rail-line can only enhance the lives of those who live here and restarting this line would offer possibilities to towns and villages in need of re-population,” the spokesperson added.

Anyone who wants to support the campaign or get can sign a petition or get further information at the site https://my.uplift.ie/…/reinstate-south-east-rail-network.