Railway link from Derry to Letterkenny could be on track

A railway line linking Derry and Letterkenny is understood to be part of the Review of Ireland’s Rail Network which is currently underway. 

If proposals within the review are implemented it would see long-dormant lines in the west and southeast brought back into use. 

The review was commissioned by Governments north and south in 2021. 

It has been examining the future of the system, how to improve connectivity for major cities and regions, while boosting connections between the island’s ports. Dutch engineering firm Arup has undertaken the review.

The line between Derry and Letterkenny would need to be built from scratch as the tracks were taken up generations ago

According to the journal.ie, some politicians and campaign groups have called for existing lines to be used where possible due to the cheaper cost involved in updating the infrastructure.

Any projects that receive approval would need to then be put forward for funding from the National Transport Authority.

Improving the west’s rail network has been an issue for decades with locals, including Colman Ó Raghallaigh, of the Western Rail Corridor group, lobbying hard for the return to rail.