INDEPENDENT councillor Ursula Gavan is calling for Limerick Council to engage with Irish Rail to make the Castleconnell line a viable commuter line for the region.
Cllr Gavan also wants the local authority to work with the Department of Transport and Irish Rail to increase the frequency and capacity of services on the Castleconnell (Limerick to Ballybrophy) line, particularly during peak hours and at weekends.
According to the City East representative, the current timetable is limited and does not match working times. She believes that if the Council is serious about a shift to public transport, a viable commuter option for Castleconnell is vital.
Increased services, Cllr Gavan maintains, would reduce traffic congestion in Castletroy/Annacotty and facilitate access to local business parks and educational facilities in the area.
“Coupled with the planned Park and Ride at the Mackey Roundabout, it would be transformational for the area, supporting compact urban growth, not just in Castleconnell but Annacotty and Castletroy also,” Cllr Gavan said.
“Castleconnell and the surrounding area is expected to increase in population with substantial residential development in the pipeline yet our traffic infrastructure is lagging behind.”
The Independent councillr said that a feasibility study for service improvements is required, as Limerick is falling behind regional counterparts in Midleton, Cork, and Oranmore, who are progressing with Luas-like rail options.
“An option of a spur from behind the Parkway to the university and Technological Park should also be factored into the study, to help the eastern side of the city further develop and reduce traffic congestion in an already gridlocked part of the city,” she said.
In a joint response from Limerick Council and Irish Rail, the Limerick Post was told that Irish Rail continues to keep its timetable under review on the Ballybrophy to Limerick line for opportunities for additional services subject to fleet, staff resources, and demand.
Irish Rail says it is “not in a position” to provide this currently due to resource availability, including gatekeeper resources and fleet availability.
The rail service said it is “currently investing in new carriages, with 285 carriages in total on order, which begin entering service in 2027”.
It noted that “while these vehicles will be utilised in the Greater Dublin Area, this will free up intercity and commuter trains currently operating Greater Dublin Area services for use on other routes.”
“These service level increases will also need to consider the likelihood for additional infrastructure enhancements to enable this increase, and are subject to public service funding and approval from the National Transport Authority.”
The allocated funding advised from the NTA in recent days for Limerick Commuter Rail Programme is €150,000, rail studies associated with the Limerick Commuter Rail Programme will be continuing in 2026.