Madam, - While reading Emmet Oliver's report about the Republic's rail sector in your edition of March 20th, I was delighted to learn of the 9 per cent growth in passenger journeys. However, I was soon saddened to read that rail-borne freight traffic had fallen by the largest percentage in Europe - 24 per cent.
Much of the blame for this huge loss of rail freight at a time when use of the roads by heavy goods vehicles is increasing dramatically must fall on the Government, which refuses to recognise the environmental, social and safety advantages of encouraging rail transport. Elsewhere in Europe grants are offered for rail freight services and terminals - but not in Ireland.
Instead, the sale of freight yards and the wholesale scrapping of freight locomotives is encouraged. The sceptical observer might say this is to prevent any "open access" operators being able to start up in the Republic.
Since the 2005 figures from the International Union of Railways were published, the loss of freight traffic to the roads has increased further. Oil trains which operated for Esso between the Dublin North Wall terminal and Sligo have now ceased (as have services to Claremorris). Bulk cement transport to the Tegral factory at Athy is now carried by road. All keg trains currently operating for Guinness and other major breweries are to cease shortly and the business will transfer to the roads. The bulk cement trains to Cork will cease shortly due to the sale of the terminal at Horgan's Quay for redevelopment. EU policy on sugar beet production has also meant that the operation of the "beet specials" from Wellington Bridge to Mallow has also now run its course.
Cork, the Republic's second city, will shortly have no rail freight services whatever. Until last summer, it was served by three container trains daily, cement trains and daily keg beer trains. The loss of all this traffic in so short a period is some indictment of both Government and Iarnród Éireann policy. The closure of the freight yards in Cork will also prevent any future private operator who may wish to operate in the domestic market from serving Cork.
With fuel costs rising, road congestion getting worse, and EU legislation reducing working hours for HGV drivers, is it wise for Government policy (or the lack of it) to allow the nationally owned rail network virtually to pull out of freight? I think not - and I would suggest that the Government act now to preserve the viable alternative to HGVs before it is irreversibly lost. - Yours, etc,
TIM CASTERTON,
Leighton Buzzard,
Bedfordshire,
England.