Sir, – The proposal to deviate the main Dublin Belfast line via Dublin Airport makes very practical sense (Editorial, September 3rd).
This solution could be further improved by enabling trains from Limerick and Cork to continue through to Belfast via Dublin Airport.
This would enable passengers from the south and mid-west to travel to Dublin Airport by train as well as connecting these cities. The frequency of trains from Dublin city centre to Dublin Airport would also be greater than if trains to and from Belfast only passed via the airport. An interconnector tunnel between Heuston and Connolly already exists, so some of the infrastructure required would seem to be in place. A further advantage would be that both airport and inter-city passengers could board and alight at both Heuston and Connolly.
Iarnród Éireann recently announced a plan to improve journey times by upgrading the rail network to facilitate higher speeds. Journey times of three hours or so from Limerick or Cork to Belfast should be possible and would be a viable competitive alternative to the already interconnected motorway system. Given the urgent need to lower carbon emissions, such an alternative is required. In addition to the airports mentioned in your editorial, Amsterdam’s Schipol Airport, Frankfurt Airport and Paris Charles de Gaulle are other examples of airports linked to mainline train networks.
This system for directing mainline rail services via airports is well established in many countries. As you point out, lateral thinking not always evident in Irish infrastructure planning, but if we were to consider international practice we would surely be on the right track. – Yours, etc,