It was announced recently that Iarnród Éireann have proposed to abandon the old Midleton to Youghal railway line so as to reduce costs. They have said that they currently spend in the region of €3 million per year on inspecting bridges, drains, fences and crossings on unused lines around the country.
If this goes ahead then it raises the possibility that the old line could be converted in a Greenway.
The new Dungarvan to Kilmacthomas walkway in Waterford looks like a great success with loads of people using it for running, walking and cycling.
Is it time for a walkway between Midleton and Youghal?
This is a great idea. We used the Greenway in Dungarvan a lot for our Dublin Marathon training. It would be great to have one more local to us to use.
ReplyDeletei dont necessarily think covering up historic railways is a great idea. how about a tarmac track alongside the rail line and then the line could still be used for tourism.
ReplyDeleteOh no! This will be the final nail in the youghal coffin. Restore the rail link I say.
ReplyDeleteThe Midleton - Youghal line might actually be a viable service if the numbers using the Midleton - Cork service each morning and evening are anything to go by so making it a greenway would be very short sighted. Then again this is Ireland where short term thinking always trumps long term planning so you never know!
ReplyDeletePossible venue for Park run in East Cork anybody? Probably a bit narrow I guess. If turned into a tarmac track and route left more or less intact (big if I agree) I can't imagine it costing that much extra to turn it back into a railway line if it came to it.
ReplyDeleteMuch as a running track would be popular, extending the Midleton line to Mogeely, Killeagh and Youghal should be on the immediate plans for IE. Rush hour into Cork City is very congested so getting more people onto trains should be on the plans for the next 5 years. East Cork is going to expand into the future and cannibalising the rail line is not the way forward.
ReplyDeleteLike most people have said a running/cycling facility would be great but not at the cost of a public transport system. Many of us have sat in traffic on a daily basis & I for one would prefer the train. Irish rail have spent nothing the upkeep. The greenway idea is only being pushed by those in Midleton area who already have a rail connection so would have the best of both worlds
ReplyDeleteWhat a stupid idea. I agree with some comments made to retain the rail link this would be forward thinking if Iarnród Éireann were to promote east Cork as a tourist destination this would ensure the viability of the line both for work and pleasure wake up planners and show some initiative
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