On track? Senator Shane Cassells with Junior Sports Minister Jack Chambers

Navan rail line project cannot be beholden to the NTA - Cassells

Getting the Navan Rail Line project included as part of the revised National Development Plan in the Spring regardless of whether a separate review of the project has been completed is a necessity according to local Senator Shane Cassells.

The Fianna Fail Senator raised this point during a Seanad debate last Wednesday and stated that the project cannot be beholden to a National Transport Authority review into the rail line.

He made those points separately to Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan later that same day and has written formally to him expressing the concerns around the review process.

Speaking in the Seanad the Navan based Senator expressed his concern to Leader Regina Doherty stating that the NTA had “spent 12 months talking about a review that is now going to take them another 12 months to complete.”

“The Minister for Transport, Deputy Eamon Ryan, needs to address this issue now on the basis of the clear facts that are before him,” remarked Senator Cassells.

“There is a fear that the reduction in traffic movements because of the pandemic will be used, in the context of the review, as a reason not to endorse a rail plan for Navan to the city centre.

“Such a plan clearly stacks up and is supported by the facts, as the Leader knows from her time on Meath County Council and in Cabinet.

“We need the Minister to commit to delivering for Navan in accordance with the position he has always taken on public transport.

“Unlike his predecessor, former Deputy Shane Ross, this Minister knows where Navan is and where Trimgate Street is and he knows the benefit of good public transport. I have written to him today asking him to act in this matter,” concluded Senator Cassells.

The NTA has said it’s feasibility study into the rail line is still “on course to be completed by mid-2021” but a final report could take another year to finalise before going to cabinet.