BOTH the Irish and Northern Ireland governments published the long-awaited All-Island Rail Review as a draft on July 25, for a Strategic Environmental Assessment Consultation which will close on September 29.
The much-delayed report expected to be published in the autumn of 2022, was delayed due to the collapse of the Northern Ireland Assembly. Commissioned in June 2021, it sets out 30 recommendations to transform the current rail system, with electrification, faster speeds, improved frequency, and new routes for people and freight, particularly across the west and north of the island.
The review’s recommendations span 25 years with several proposals that could be implemented before 2030.
Some recommendations include:
■ Increasing the frequency of services to at least hourly between major cities and to at least one train every two hours between other centres.
■ Upgrade the core intercity network to 200kph (125mph) and all other routes to 120kph (75mph).
■ Decarbonising the rail network with more electrification and use of battery and hydrogen traction on various parts of the network.
■ Enhancing rail capacity for freight particularly and taking more trucks off the roads, including
