CIE to rubber stamp freight closures

Bus and rail unions are gearing up for industrial action as the CIE board meets today Wednesday 6th November to rubber stamp Irish Rail’s decision to axe two passenger routes and cut its freight activities by nearly 50 per cent.

The board will implement a recommendation from Irish Rail to:

* Close the rail service from Rosslare to Limerick Junction.
* Close the Ballybrophy line serving Roscrea, Nenagh and Limerick
* Cut its freight services by half following the closure of Irish Fertiliser Industries
National Bus and Rail Union executive Liam Tobin has put members on red alert and a ballot for industrial action could be taken before the weekend.

Meanwhile a spokesman for Irish Rail has stated that its proposed withdrawal from loss-making freight services would have a “minor” impact on Irish roads amounting to an estimated 400 truck journeys per day.
However, a spokesman for Irish Railway News, an internet based group of private individuals campaigning against the closure said an additional 400 truck journeys per day would add a “staggering 176,000 extra trucks every year on our already inadequate roads network.”