Madam, - Brendan Quinn's suggestion (October 6th) that part of the proposed Western Rail Corridor be used as a walking trail reflects an enduring tension in development policy for the West.
Either the region is to be afforded an opportunity to prosper and compete or it is to become an immense rural theme-park to which stressed city dwellers can escape at the weekends.
Improved transport infrastructure to, from and within the Western region is vital to its demographic and economic growth. This must be an imperative, not only to increase the vital revenues brought by tourism, but also to create opportunities for employment in other sectors and to facilitate its residents.
Until the West is deemed worthy of meaningful fiscal and social development by the Government and agencies such as An Taisce, those who do live in it, and those who wish to, can only hope for the arrival of another Mgr Horan. - Yours, etc,
MARY ROGAN, Rathmines, Dublin 6.