Madam, - Dr Garret FitzGerald is right to seek responsible financial analysis of major transport projects (Opinion & Analysis, April 14th).
However, his rejection of the viability of the Western Rail Corridor is based on an outmoded evaluation of the plan purely from a limited, revenue-based standpoint. Cost-benefit parameters derived from the Strategic Rail Review, which more fully account for the external benefits of rail transport, were applied to the WRC in 2004 and showed potential environmental and social benefits totalling more than €100 million a year over the whole route from Limerick to Sligo, and a recoupment of the required capital expenditure within five years.
Dr Fitzgerald also discounts general comfort and convenience issues in believing that buses can substitute for trains for long journeys, does not question the uneconomic nature of road projects if their external costs are fully measured, and fails to consider the potential benefits from rail freight - which is essential to reduce emissions, accidents, congestion and wear and tear on the roads.
The more recent cost-benefit analysis developments also reduce the need for high population densities to support the rail mode, as does promotion of rail freight, which spreads and expands the income base.
I would only be too happy to discuss this research with Dr FitzGerald and other interested parties. - Yours, etc,
BRIAN GUCKIAN, Rail Integrated Transport Researcher, Blackrock, Co Dublin.
Madam, - Dr Garret FitzGerald writes that the re-opening of the Western Rail Corridor "does not seem to have been challenged by the Opposition. He may be interested, therefore, in the following statement by Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny, which was read to those attending the West on Track conference in Claremorris last Friday:
"The position in so far as the Fine Gael party is concerned in regard to the Western Rail Corridor is that we are committed to having the line developed all the way to Sligo. Fine Gael in Government would envisage the development of the line to Claremorris within its first term of Government. In addition, Fine Gael would move a railway order for the section of the line from Claremorris to Collooney."
That statement followed a similar declaration on behalf of the Labour Party by party president Deputy Michael D. Higgins, issued on the previous evening.
Clearly the alternative government is also taking a national view of the development of infrastructure and looking to the future in terms of planning for the whole country. This is a patently sensible, progressive and democratic stance.
It is therefore all the more disappointing to find Dr FitzGerald still stuck in the outmoded Pale mentality that characterised his opposition to the development of Knock Airport a quarter-of-a-century ago.
As the airport rapidly approaches the figure of 1 million passengers a year, it would have been nice to think that Dr FitzGerald would find it in himself to wish his fellow citizens on the western seaboard well with their 5.5 per cent share of the Transport 21 public transport budget - or to at least content himself by juggling with the 90 per cent and more of the €16 billion project that is to be spent in Dublin and the East. - Yours, etc,
COLMÁN Ó RAGHALLAIGH, West on Track, Claremorris, Co Mayo.