Congestion on the N24 Waterford- Limerick road would not be eased in any significant way by an improved rail service, a study has found.
The Irish Examiner reports that the study showed the train journey time between the two cities could be halved at peak times.
However, the research by Arup, carried out as part of the supporting documentation for the N24 upgrade, says this improvement in efficiency would only increase uptake of the rail service by 0.3%.
The potential to boost train services between Waterford and Limerick was identified in documents for the project to upgrade the route.
It's understood Green Party politicians and other lobby groups have disputed the Arup findings, which are being attributed in part to a smaller population density for Tipperary Town and Cahir.
Diarmuid McGrath represents South East on Track, a group that campaigns for better rail services:
"The full Arup report hasn't been published yet, but we are sceptical of its findings - the current rail service does not arrive into either city before 10am, or run at all on Sundays or holidays. We strongly believe that adding faster trains at commuting hours and on Sundays would lead to a larger shift to rail than Arup estimated. A similar study in Wexford showed a potential 250% growth in peak time passengers and numbers on the current Limerick-Waterford service grew by 17% from 2017 to 2018 even with the current limited service."
The railway line between Waterford and Limerick stops at Tipperary Town, Cahir, Clonmel and Carrick-on-Suir.
Arup was also appointed last July to work with the Department of Transport and Northern Ireland's Department of Infrastructure on an all-island review of the rail network. This review is not expected to be completed until 2022.
Meanwhile, the government rollout of funding for the N24 upgrade has come in for much criticism. More here.
