Madam, - The infrastructure deficit in north Galway is well illustrated by the protest of the people of Claregalway on Wednesday June 21st. This village on the N17 endures the passage of an estimated 35,000 vehicles daily. The National Roads Authority has no plan in place to deal with it.
Yet an immediate and relatively low-cost solution is available. The reinstatement of the railway connection between Tuam and Athenry would give commuters rail access to Galway, and would relieve the frustration of drivers who have no means of access to the city at present, other than by road.
If even a proportion of the travellers on the N17 availed of a rail service, two objectives would be achieved: the numbers passing through Claregalway would be reduced, and the rail service would break even, or even make a profit. As the success of Luas has shown, people will use an efficient public transport system when it is available. - Yours, etc,
RIANA O'DWYER, Circular Road, Tuam, Co Galway.
Madam, - If a train journey from Sligo to Galway takes a minimum three to four hours, as Felim O'Rourke states (June 22nd), and through a scenic region, why not reopen the line as a "yesteryear" steam train tourism attraction, and let the express buses take care of the faster daily commuting needs? - Yours, etc,
NIALL O'DONOGHUE, Narva, Finland.