Sir, – I agree with Eileen Bannan, particularly in relation to the installation of train lines, or at least the setting aside of space for them when acquiring land for motorways (“A5 upgrade is welcome, but why not a train service too?”, Letters, October 8th).
I witnessed this “combination” approach on a visit to Western Australia some years ago. Among a number of examples is the Mitchell Freeway/Joondalup line that runs north from Perth with passenger tracks built down the centre median of the motorway.
Whether done by retrofit or planned from day one, this approach provides a considerable saving on land acquisition costs and the inordinate amount of time taken to agree a route and then to compulsorily acquire the land.
Unfortunately, the horse has bolted for most of our motorway network in Ireland, unless retrofit is considered. But for the improved A5, and indeed for any future motorway development, whether in the Republic or cross-Border projects, there is an argument for a policy shift whereby consideration be given to adding a rail line, or at least the space for it, in the land acquisition process. Anything to improve public transport links should be embraced wholeheartedly. – Yours, etc,
RM Block
GER MULVEY,
Kilkenny.
