Letter to the Editor: No train service between major cities Cork and Waterford

Dear Editor,

No train service exists between Cork and Waterford despite 100-plus years of Irish Independence. Other shining examples of rail infrastructure failure exist also. 

Looking at earlier rail maps one can see an extensive rail system in this country. From Mallow in Cork there was a system, which went to Dungarvan to Waterford to Rosslare. 

Instead, today hundreds of thousands of cars, vans and trucks spend hours travelling to and from these areas, which rail would have them there in no time. Donegal, one of the biggest and most remote counties in the country, is completely cut off from rail. 

In colonial times an extensive rail system existed throughout the county, while only now a skeleton remains of it. You won’t see any modern country in Europe, which fails to have connecting rail services between major cities. 

Our country is flooded with cars and choking congestion. Other countries continue to invest in rail service, while this country is content to build roads to beat the band and put cars on them. 

Rail should be seen as a way of getting many cars off the road and drastically reducing the time it takes people to get there without any stress. 

The 'Iron Horse' could solve a lot of our congestion problems and health problems, and reduce fatalities and injuries. 

We must look at rail as vital transport infrastructure, because the country is completely saturated with cars and no one can get anywhere without spending half the day in tailbacks with expensive delays. 

The idea that two major cities, Cork and Waterford, are not connected by rail makes one think about the success or failure of Irish Independence.

Yours,

Maurice Fitzgerald,

Shanbally,

County Cork.