Munster Express Online

Irish Rail is planning to deploy more frequent trains to Dublin from Waterford in the years ahead and to have speedier, more direct services to the capital. The high costs of road transport, due to increased petrol prices caused by international trends in world oil markets, are pushing more people onto the rail alternative.

Rail prices are comparatively good value, especially if you work out parking costs in Dublin. This is all very positive for rail, which is a more efficient energy user than car transport. It has been suggested by some regular users that, at peak times and at weekends, extra services could be added. Furthermore, some trains in the afternoon could do with more catering facilities. If there cannot be a catering assistant on a train, surely it should be possible to have coffee or tea making machines, especially in winter when the weather is cold. At peak times, traffic does get congested at the Waterford train station, especially at the roundabout, and it would be advisable for some road users going to the station to drop off passengers on the Waterford side of the bridge rather than add to the congestion. Long queues of traffic on the quays at peak times mean that some passengers miss their connection or come close to doing so.

We are aware that train resources at Irish Rail can be stretched at times but some extra services may be warranted out of Waterford if passenger numbers continue to grow as they are at present. Rail is good value so more are using it and, if the frequency and comfort were improved just a little more, then we would be sure that the public would give the train service even more support.

With more young drivers being forced off the road under the new licensing arrangements, it would be prudent to invest more in public transport for the future.

Kilkenny’s new shopping complex

Last week, we were invited to the opening of the new McDonagh Junction shopping centre near the railway station in Kilkenny. We spoke with some of the promoters who see a great long term future for the Marble City in retailing.

There is no secret that this centre is not just targeting existing customers in Kilkenny but going farther from the city to a general drivetime of one hour which would bring Waterford into its catchment area. They forecast a doubling of the population in the area in the coming ten to fifteen years.

Situated near the rail station of Kilkenny, it is thought that, in the years ahead when the rail service is expanded, speedy commuter trains will be able to go from Kilkenny to Dublin in one hour. This would mean that, like Carlow and Kildare, Kilkenny would come within commuting distance of Dublin. Thus this shopping centre development and investors concerned have clearly their eyes on the future.

Waterford is just that distance away from such a commuter scenario but being a regional centre in its own right, population growth and expansion in Kilkenny can benefit Waterford and the South East in general. The new shopping centre will mean more competition for Waterford which needs to respond to such trends.

The new Ferrybank shopping centre will draw also from County Kilkenny as retailers do battle. Dunnes Stores will feature in each centre.